Americans are expressing outrage as Covid-era mask rules are slowly being imposed across California.
Sonoma County in San Francisco is the latest region to reinstate its mask mandate in all medical settings for staff, but not visitors.
There are more than 20 hospitals and clinics in the area serving more than 480,000 residents and visitors, with the largest being Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Karen Smith, the county’s interim health director, issued the order “given the increasing risk of illnesses related to respiratory viruses, such as COVID and the flu.”
The order will be in effect for the remainder of the respiratory virus season, from November 18 to April 30.
Despite Dr. Smith’s concerns, the latest report from the California Department of Public Health reveals that Covid and flu activity is “currently low” in the state and there were no hospital admissions in the week beginning the 28th. of October.
Meanwhile, the CDC states in its latest update that 4.8% of the US population has tested positive for active Covid infection.
In reaction to the recent mask announcement in Sonoma, many people have called it “stupid” and a “joke” on social media.
Americans are expressing outrage after Covid-era mask rules are slowly being imposed across California.
One Facebook user wrote: ‘Here we go again. Sonoma County reinstates useless patriotic magic mask mandate for healthcare workers. Are the next vaccines mandatory? Masks do not reduce COVID.’
Another Facebook user fumed: “It’s silly when you consider they didn’t do anything.”
However, some people support the mask mandate, with one commenter writing: ‘Good. The idea of protecting patients is always a good one.’
Earlier this month, Monterey Peninsula Community Hospital also reinstated its mask policy for the same reasons.
Meanwhile, other counties with mask requirements include San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Napa and San Mateo.
These areas together are home to more than 2.8 million residents.
Rules vary from county to county, but in Sonoma, all staff in patient care areas of healthcare facilities must wear a mask for the duration of the order and regardless of their vaccination status.
Additionally, any company that delivers healthcare products or goods must enforce the mandate for any staff entering patient care areas.
While Sonoma is not enforcing the rule on visitors, other counties such as Santa Clara and San Mateo are requesting that anyone entering a medical facility must wear a mask.
Dr. Smith also recommends that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks in indoor public settings when the risk of Covid or influenza is high.
He added: “Each year, we see higher rates of influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that can cause serious respiratory infections between late fall and spring.
“Influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses infect tens of millions in the United States each year and can cause serious medical outcomes, including hospitalizations and death.”
Since at least 2017, Sonoma County has required all healthcare facilities to establish an influenza vaccination program that requires healthcare workers providing direct patient care to receive an annual influenza vaccine or use one. face mask.
The order applies to staff in health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, infusion centers, dialysis centers, skilled nursing facilities, portions of long-term care facilities where nursing care is provided, and others. facilities where patient care is provided indoors.
Dr. Smith also included guidance for the general public on vaccines, strongly recommending that everyone six months and older receive up-to-date COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and RSV vaccines if eligible.
“Vaccination remains the best protection against respiratory virus infections,” he stressed.