To Mask or Not to Mask? That Is the Question
Keeping up with Federal guidelines, public health recommendations, and state, local, and school mask mandates could make anyone dizzy. But now, more than ever, it is essential to be informed of these policies as many states and schools are aligned with federal guidelines to relax mask mandates.
Why Now?
The first thing you might ask is, "Why Now?" after two years of ever-shifting policies about whether you should mask or not. So here are a few reasons:
-
New omicron infections in the U.S. have plummeted 90% from a pandemic high in a little over a month.
-
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is reporting about 84,000 new cases per day on average, down from a pandemic high of more than 800,000 daily cases on January 15.
-
As the nation emerges from the omicron wave, the states and the federal government are trying to move past the crisis mentality that has gripped the country for two years.
Before delving into the controversies, let's recap what new guidelines and mask-free mandates are.
What’s the Federal Guidance?
-Collect and examine new metrics that rely more on the coronavirus burden on the health care system and less on the number of COVID-19 cases.
-Whether or not you need to wear a mask depends on the high, medium, or low impact COVID-19 has in your community.
-More than 2/3 of people in the country are now considered ok to go without masks in indoor public settings.
-However, mask recommendations may change again in the future if cases, and crucially, hospitalizations, start to climb back up.
Federal CDC Mask Guidance for Traveling
-
For now, you are still required to wear a mask when using federal transportation, such as on airplanes.
-
You should also still wear a mask when using public transportation, like subways or buses, and when in indoor travel settings, such as train stations and airports.
-
You don't need to wear a mask in outdoor settings, like a bus stop.
The TSA's mask mandate expires on March 18, 2022.
Federal CDC Mask Guidance for Schools
-
Schools don't need to implement masking — even indoors — when the local community COVID-19 level is low.
-
When the community COVID-19 level increases to medium, the CDC guidelines recommend that schools consider adding precautions, such as screening testing.
-
The CDC only recommends schools implement masking when the community COVID-19 level is "High."
What’s the Status of State Mask Mandates?
Status of Mask Mandates at the State Level
-
As of March 1, 2022, 15 states plus Washington, DC have lifted masking mandates with individual nuances to each state's policy.
Status of School Mask Mandates
-
In many states, officials in school districts are lifting school mask mandates.
What Are Reactions to Lifting Mask Mandates?
Vulnerable Populations
While this sounds promising to healthy individuals eager to regain normalcy, this policy change is alarming for our most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, the immunocompromised, and the parents of children under five for whom there is no vaccine.
Policies like relaxed mask restrictions, broad public reopening, and shortened quarantine or isolation time for those who contract the virus put the most vulnerable at increased risk.
Scientists and Parents in Opposition to Relaxed Mask Mandates
A collection of researchers and physicians have established an advocacy group called the Urgency of Equity. Among several things, it focuses on keeping children and communities—particularly low-income ones—safe from COVID. The Urgency of Equity's online tool kit calls for the use of high-quality masks, testing, and other measures, emphasizing protecting the most vulnerable people.
Some parents viscerally feel that the elimination of mask mandates has come too quickly and jeopardizes their child's health. Further, parents are concerned that their kid will be bullied if she/he continues to wear a mask when everyone else is not.
Scientists and Parents in Favor of Relaxed Mask Mandates
In January, a group of physicians and scientists launched the Urgency of Normal. This campaign calls for the lifting of school mask requirements, an end to school closures, and the removal of other restrictions in schools. The Urgency of Normal colleagues are concerned about the impact of mental health challenges and delays to language and social-emotional development.
Many parents feel like it's time with cases low and vaccination rates high for kids to go mask-free. They believe it is better for their mental health.
What Does the Future Hold?
It will be interesting to see how many people will continue to mask as a protective public health measure vs. how many will embrace their freedoms and ditch those masks for good...or until the next mandate comes along.
Research and materials for this article were compiled, written, and distributed on behalf of the National Public Health Information Coalition. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the various authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the National Public Health Information Coalition or its members.
References:
Covid infections plummet 90% from U.S. pandemic high, states lift mask mandates (cnbc.com)
Masking in 2022: Everything You Need to Know (today.com)
Omicron cases could fall just as quickly as they rose, CDC says (today.com)
Indoor masking no longer necessary across most of the U.S, CDC says (today.com)
Travel during COVID-19: Your travel questions answered (today.com)
TSA extends face mask requirement through March 18, 2022 | Transportation Security Administration
https://www.nytimes.com/explain/2022/03/01/us/mask-mandates-us
New Jersey, Connecticut, others to lift statewide school mask mandates (nbcnews.com)