Bay Area Health Agencies Reinstate Mandatory Masking for Fall and Winter
Several Bay Area health agencies in California announced last week that mandatory masking would return to hospitals and health care settings for the fall and winter months.
Contra Costa, Sonoma, Alameda, and San Mateo counties issued mask orders for health care staff in hospitals and other care facilities. The orders start on Nov. 1 and last until April 30, 2024, officials said, citing recent increases in COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viruses that are typically commonplace during the colder months.
“Each year we see that higher rates of influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that can cause severe respiratory infections occur annually between late fall and spring,” Dr. Karen Smith, the Sonoma County interim health officer, said in a statement last week.
Contra Costa Health Services CEO Anna Roth told the county’s board of supervisors last week that the mandate will be enacted, according to local media reports.
“We are issuing the health order today around masking for high-risk facilities, health care facilities specifically,” Ms. Roth said. “So again, masking in hospitals, masking in skilled nursing facilities, masking in high-risk facilities.”
In Alameda County, which includes the city of Oakland, the mandate will go into effect for “operators of specified Health Care Facilities” because of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, according to KRON 4 television. Staff are now mandated to wear “high quality” and “well-fitting” masks while inside patient care settings, officials said several days ago.
At about the same time, the San Mateo County Health Department issued an order that also mandates masks in patient care settings for health care workers for the same aforementioned period, starting on Nov. 1. Health care staff who don’t comply may face fines and misdemeanor charges.
“Please read this order carefully. Violation of, or failure to comply with, this Order is a public nuisance subject to citation, abatement, or both, as well as a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both,” it reads.
Health officials in Santa Clara County, which includes the city of San Jose and Silicon Valley, already set a mandate in March that will require masks in patient care areas between the late fall and the spring.
“Historical data show higher rates of infection by COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other viruses in Contra Costa County annually between late fall and spring,” Dr. Ori Tzvieli, the county’s health officer, wrote in the order at the time.
Signs reminding people of social distancing and wearing face masks remain at a mall in California on June 14, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
“This seasonal increase in circulation of multiple respiratory viruses poses a particular risk to people more likely to experience severe disease and death if infected, including infants, older adults, and people with impaired immunity.”
A similar rule was initiated in San Francisco. The city, which is also a county, already enforces year-round masking for health care staffers, visitors, and patients, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
While the Bay Area county health agencies all cited an increase in COVID-19, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the current rise in reported cases is far lower than the historical average—especially previous surges of the virus.
Since August, several hospitals across the United States have reimplemented mask mandates, although some have only made face coverings mandatory for employees—not patients or visitors. A smaller number of schools and some private businesses have also made masking mandatory in recent weeks, sparking fears of a repeat of COVID-19 mandates that were imposed over the past several years.
Republican officials have expressed alarm about the return of mandates, with several 2024 GOP presidential candidates speaking out against them. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month said his state wouldn’t reimplement the mandates, and former President Donald Trump released a video on social media calling on Americans to resist the rules, which he described as tyrannical.
Milder Symptoms?
Earlier this month, a handful of doctors revealed that symptoms of COVID-19 appear to be getting milder. Some said it’s difficult to distinguish COVID-19 from influenza, the common cold, or even allergies without testing.
“It isn’t the same typical symptoms that we were seeing before. It’s a lot of congestion, sometimes sneezing, usually a mild sore throat,” Dr. Erick Eiting, vice chair of operations for emergency medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai, told NBC News in a Sept. 16 interview.
He noted that “just about everyone who I’ve seen has had really mild symptoms,” referring to urgent care COVID-19 patients at his hospital.
“The only way that we knew that it was COVID was because we happened to be testing them,” he said.
Dr. Dan Barouch, head of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said the mild symptoms may be, in part, due to prior immunity.
“Overall, the severity of COVID is much lower than it was a year ago and two years ago,” he said. “That’s not because the variants are less robust. It’s because the immune responses are higher.”
Why is the county’s public health department emphasizing the importance of masking in healthcare settings for the 19 and influenza concerns?
19 and influenza concerns, according to the county’s public health department. The department emphasized the importance of masking in healthcare settings to protect vulnerable populations and prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
The decision to reinstate mandatory masking comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Bay Area and across the country. Health officials are particularly concerned about the upcoming flu season, which could further strain healthcare resources already overwhelmed by the pandemic.
“With the increase in COVID-19 cases and the upcoming flu season, it is crucial that we take proactive measures to protect our healthcare workers, patients, and the community,” said Dr. Naveena Bobba, the San Mateo County health officer, in a press release. “Masks have been shown to be effective in reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses, and we must prioritize the safety of our healthcare system.”
The mask orders apply to healthcare staff working in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other high-risk facilities. They are required to wear masks at all times, regardless of vaccination status. The orders also urge healthcare facilities to implement other preventive measures, such as social distancing and hand hygiene, to further minimize the risk of transmission.
Healthcare providers and staff are not the only ones encouraged to wear masks. The public is advised to continue wearing masks indoors, especially in crowded places and settings where social distancing is challenging.
The reinstatement of mandatory masking in healthcare settings has received support from both local health officials and the medical community. They believe that the measure will help protect healthcare workers and patients, reduce the spread of contagious diseases, and prevent potential surges in hospitalizations.
However, the mask orders have also faced some opposition. Critics argue that mandatory masking infringes on personal freedom and individual choice. They question the effectiveness of masks against respiratory viruses and believe that the decision should be left to individual discretion.
Despite the varying opinions on mask mandates, Bay Area health agencies remain steadfast in their commitment to public health and safety. They emphasize that the primary objective is to safeguard vulnerable populations and minimize the strain on healthcare resources.
As the fall and winter months approach, it is important for individuals to stay informed about the latest guidelines and recommendations from local health authorities. Adhering to mask mandates, practicing good hygiene, and getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza are crucial steps in protecting oneself and others during this challenging period.
While mask mandates may be inconvenient or controversial for some, they are deemed necessary by health agencies to mitigate the risks posed by respiratory viruses. The collective effort of healthcare professionals, policymakers, and individuals is crucial in ensuring the well-being of communities and maintaining a resilient healthcare system.
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