California's Fresh Mask Mandates Shown in Map - Newsweek

Face mask mandates have made a return in several California counties, which will remain in place until the spring.

The mandates have been introduced to help slow the spread of seasonal illnesses such as COVID-19, flu and other viral infections, health officials say.

"Generally, masks can help act as a filter to reduce the number of germs you breathe in or out," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. "Their effectiveness can vary against different viruses, for example, based on the size of the virus. When worn by a person who has a virus, masks can reduce the chances they spread it to others."

Since September, COVID-19 levels across the U.S. have been on the decline. However, wastewater detections of the virus have shown an uptick in recent weeks, especially in the Midwest, in line with the spread of a new variant. However, in California, "minimal" levels of the virus have been detected, as of October 31.

But as of November 1, mask mandates were introduced in the following California counties. But to whom will they apply?

As per an order of the health officers of the County of Alameda and City of Berkeley, specified health care personnel were required to wear face masks at work from November 1 to March 31. The order covers all staff at general and psychiatric hospitals across the county, as well as skilled nursing facilities, dialysis centers and infusion centers.

While visitors are not subject to the same rules, the Alameda County Public Health Department still recommends mask wearing in these settings.

Like Alameda, Contra Costa County has mandated mask-wearing in health care facilities. However, unlike other Bay Area counties, Contra Costa's mandate will run through April.

Masking orders for Napa County came into place for all staff at the same facilities as dictated by Alameda health officers on November 1.

"Influenza infection, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and other viral infections cause severe respiratory disease among people in Napa County annually between late fall and spring," Christine Wu, Napa County health officer, said in a statement.

"This seasonal increase in circulation of multiple respiratory viruses causes particular risk to certain populations more likely to experience severe disease and death if infected, including infants, older adults, pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. While getting vaccinated against influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 remains the best way to reduce risk of hospitalizations and deaths, these vaccines are less effective at preventing symptomatic infection and transmission of illness. Facial coverings are a proven method for protecting all people, including the most vulnerable, against respiratory infections."

Health care facilities in Santa Clara County, which includes San Jose and Morgan Hill, have had continuous mask mandates in place since April 2023.

As of April 4 last year, the mandate applies to "any setting or portion of a setting where any indoor medical, nursing, dental, vision or behavioral healthcare and/or service is provided," and applies to health care workers, patients and visitors.

All paid and unpaid health care workers in San Francisco are mandated to wear masks until March 31 when in the same room as patients or residents.

As with many other Bay Area counties, health care facilities in San Mateo County are subject to mask mandates.

"The order applies to all facility personnel, workers and visitors, including patients' family members," a notice says. "The order does not apply to patients or to individuals with medical or mental health conditions or disability that prevents wearing a mask."

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