A return to indoor masks is being called for by health experts in several major cities and states as three highly contagious respiratory infections are causing hospital strain and medicine shortages.
Indoor masking is thought to be one method of slowing the transmission of the viruses that have sickened millions of Americans over the past several weeks due to COVID-19, the flu, and RSV. According to a news release announcing the health recommendation, health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan stated that in New York City, this entails wearing face coverings in stores, on public transportation, at schools, in childcare facilities, and in other public shared or crowded locations.
“The holiday season is about togetherness and there is a way to gather safely, even as respiratory viruses in our city are unusually high,” Vasan said. “It starts with protecting yourself. Vaccination and boosters are critical but so are common-sense precautions like masking when indoors or among crowds and staying home if you don’t feel well.”
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Indoor Masks
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the public health director for Los Angeles County, has recommended mask wear indoors and stated that the county may impose mask use requirements if cases and hospitalizations demand it. Ferrer stated, “We all know it takes a community to do so. Our shared goal during this pandemic has always been to reduce the burden of disease, hospitalization, and death.” “It is about the citizens of LA County when you put on your mask for these few weeks during this surge. It concerns each and every person, as well as our healthcare providers, key employees, and other servants. Apart from immunization, it’s among the simplest things that everyone can do at the moment.
Indoor Masks
Indoor Masks
Meanwhile, Washington and Oregon health officials have advised similar measures. In Washington state, 25 hospital executives and 12 county health officers have asked residents to mask indoors, NPR reported, and the Oregon Health Authority has asked people to protect children and older adults by wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces. “The combination of surging flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases is pushing hospitals past their current ICU bed capacity, which never happened during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon,” Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state epidemiologist, said during a media briefing on Thursday, NPR reported.
Indoor Masks
Indoor Masks
The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, told NPR last week that more regions in the nation have “high” infection rates. “To protect communities in those circumstances at those high levels, we have recommended and continue to recommend that those communities wear masks,” Walensky said. People who live in places where there is a high risk of contracting COVID-19 are advised by the CDC to use masks indoors. That currently represents around 9% of American counties.
Indoor Masks
Indoor Masks
The only states where there are only low community levels of COVID are Hawaii, Maine and New Hampshire. Levels are also low in Washington, D.C. All other states have at least one county with high COVID levels, NPR reported.
Indoor Masks
Indoor Masks
Frequently asked questions
How can I prevent COVID and influenza?
Make sure you cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, discard the tissue, and wash your hands right away. Steer clear of individuals who are confirmed or suspected of having the flu, COVID-19, or RSV, especially in crowded indoor areas. You might want to think about donning a mask.
What is the treatment for Corona flu?
The majority of adults with mild cases of COVID-19 can treat their symptoms similarly to how they would treat a seasonal flu: stay home and rest, take ibuprofen or paracetamol for fever and pain relief, stay hydrated, and use cough medicine if necessary. One of the most prevalent COVID-19 symptoms is fatigue.
What are the symptoms of the flu (RSV) and COVID-19?
Fever, coughing, and shortness of breath are common symptoms of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza (flu). It can be challenging to differentiate between respiratory virus-related illnesses due to their similar symptoms.
Can you have a cold and COVID at the same time?
Respiratory viruses can sometimes infect you in pairs, so COVID-19 can also accompany a cold or the flu. It is known as “coinfection,” but as far as current scientific understanding allows, it is an uncommon occurrence.
What antiviral is used for the flu?
There are four FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs recommended by the CDC for use against recently circulating influenza viruses.
- Rapivab (peramivir)
- Relenza (zanamivir)
- Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate, also available as generic)
- Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)
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Disclaimer: The opinions and suggestions expressed in this article are solely those of the individual analysts. These are not the opinions of HNN. For more, please consult with your doctor
