San Francisco Bay Area Reinstates Mask Mandates as Flu Season Approaches
As COVID-19 cases increase, mask mandates are being reinstated in several counties around California.
Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area will be required to wear masks in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare facilities as flu and cold season begin, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The mandate will take effect from Nov. 1 to either Mar. 31 or April 30, 2025, the outlet reports.
Health officials are implementing the mandate as an attempt to decrease the risk of spreading COVID, the flu and other respiratory viruses during the winter and early spring in medical settings.
As of now, the mask mandate only applies to healthcare workers and is similar to those set during last year’s winter virus season.
Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, however, are expanding their mask mandate requirements to visitors as well. Santa Clara County is also requesting that patients wear masks.
While the Bay Area is taking precaution, it is not alone. The New York State Department of Health is highly recommending that individuals in healthcare settings and residential faculties wear masks to limit the spread of COVID and the flu, including healthcare personnel, visitors and patients.
New Jersey also reinstated mask mandates in certain healthcare settings.
While the orders in the Bay Area are temporary, they are a reminder of the lasting impacts that the pandemic had on the country.
Some of the strictest mandates and restrictions were implemented in Democratic states. Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been criticized for his response to the pandemic.
To ensure that residents followed the mandates, Walz set up a “snitch line” where citizens could turn in any violators participating in social events, including attending church, as TTOA previously reported.
Walz also ordered law enforcement to shoot residents with paintball guns if they were standing outside on their porches.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also criticized over the summer after it was revealed that her campaign required all of its employees to be “up to date” on their COVID-19 vaccines.
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