Mask mandates and social distancing are back: Some cities now recommend masks for vaccinated and unvaccinated people over “Delta” Covid-19 variant
Nickie Louise
Posted On June 29, 2021
Just when some thought they are done wearing masks and social distancing, Los Angeles residents woke up to a new announcement from The Los Angeles County health agency suggesting that all residents wear masks—regardless of vaccination status—due to the so-called “Delta” COVID-19 variant.
In a statement on Monday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said:
“Public Health strongly recommends people wear masks indoors in settings such as grocery or retail stores; theaters and family entertainment centers, and workplaces when you don’t know everyone’s vaccination status.”
The agency also added: “While COVID-19 vaccine provides very effective protection preventing hospitalizations and deaths against the Delta variant, the strain is proving to be more transmissible and is expected to become more prevalent. Mask wearing remains an effective tool for reducing transmission, especially indoors where the virus may be easily spread through inhalation of aerosols emitted by an infected person.”
As a precautionary measure following the deaths of 3 people and 2259 new confirmed cases, LA Health Agency also took to Twitter asking residents to wear masks indoors. In a tweet, the agency said: “As Delta Variant Circulates, Public Health Recommends Masking Indoors as a Precaution – 3 New Deaths and 259 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.”
As Delta Variant Circulates, Public Health Recommends Masking Indoors as a Precaution – 3 New Deaths and 259 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.
View https://t.co/Fnrbckbfhf pic.twitter.com/16a6fBHByC— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) June 29, 2021
The agency added, “Public Health strongly recommends people wear masks indoors in settings such as grocery or retail stores; theaters and family entertainment centers, and workplaces when you don’t know everyone’s vaccination status. Until we better understand how and to who the Delta variant is spreading, everyone should focus on maximum protection with minimum interruption to routine as all businesses operate without other restrictions, like physical distancing and capacity limits.”
You can read the rest of the statement below.
Fully vaccinated people appear to be well protected from infections with Delta variants, however people with only one vaccine dose of Pfizer or Moderna are not as well-protected. The smaller number of COVID-19 infections identified in people who are fully vaccinated have been mild illnesses.
For masks to work properly, they need to completely cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face and around your nose. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, your mask is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect yourself and other unvaccinated people. This is especially true when you are in an indoor or crowded outdoor space. If you are not fully vaccinated and work in a setting where you have sustained close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, consider wearing a respirator for additional protection.
Public Health has confirmed 3 new deaths and 259 new cases of COVID-19. The number of cases and deaths are likely to reflect reporting delays over the weekend. Of the three new deaths reported today, one person that passed away was between the ages of 65 and 79, one person who died was between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 30 and 49.
To date, Public Health identified 1,249,560 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,480 deaths. There are 238 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 7,013,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 0.9%.
“We send our deepest condolences to everyone who is mourning a loved one or friend who has passed away from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “While COVID-19 vaccine provides very effective protection preventing hospitalizations and deaths against the Delta variant, the strain is proving to be more transmissible and is expected to become more prevalent. Mask wearing remains an effective tool for reducing transmission, especially indoors where the virus may be easily spread through inhalation of aerosols emitted by an infected person.”
