Another day and another round of changes with masking guidance. Just Tuesday, both Hennepin County and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul started requiring masks in government buildings again. Many businesses including Target and Walmart are now asking people to mask up again.
Listen to your favorite News/Talk station now on Audacy
The CDC and many states across the country are recommending kids wear masks when school comes back this fall and now recommending you wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
This includes those that have gotten the vaccination.
Why are the goalposts moving when it comes to masks? Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN took some time to explain why mask guidance has changed so much since the start of the pandemic last year. Dr. John O'Horo, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, helps explain why masking changes are necessary.
“The reason that the masking recommendations are changing is that the situation itself has changed,” O’Horo says. “It has changed partly because vaccination rates didn't reach the level that we had hoped for to avoid having a second surge and partly because the delta variant is just that much more transmissible. We're seeing a lot more transmission because of that variant.”
Dr. O’Horo says this is all about the data that comes in and how to react to that data.
“The underlying scientific method that's been used has been constant throughout the pandemic,” says O’Horo. “This has always been about reacting to data as we understand it, and seeing what's happening and coming up with the best recommendations at the time. The situation itself has changed. We've seen increased transmission. We've seen new variants come along.”
One of the main findings has been “breakthrough” cases, or positive tests by those who are vaccinated.
That happened over the weekend with the Minnesota Vikings when a vaccinated backup Quarterback, Kellen Mond, tested positive. That led to two unvaccinated players who had close contact to Mond being quarantined.
Related
O’Horo says that is the main issue now with masks coming back in many locations. There is a responsibility to control the spread due to so many still being unvaccinated.
“What's emerged in the past few weeks is some evidence that those who are vaccinated still have the potential to transmit COVID-19, even if they aren't demonstrating symptoms themselves.” O’Horo said in an interview shared by Mayo Clinic. “Because of that, in areas of high transmission, the CDC is recommending that people wear masks, even if they are vaccinated to help try to slow this delta variant surge and give a chance to those who aren't vaccinated to get vaccinated, and avoid getting hospitalized or seriously ill with COVID-19.”
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram