It had a huge accumulation. It seemed inevitable. However, the Los Angeles County rekindled mask mission seems to have ceased. Or at least pause.
This was a close call as a result of a week-long surge of coronavirus that consistently notched the “high” level category over a two-week period, as defined by the federal threshold.
And it’s worrisome to LA County public health officials who have seen average daily COVID-related hospitalization rates exceed 10 per 100,000 inhabitants as workplace outbreaks surge and deaths increase. became.
By Thursday morning, the county had been in a federal-defined “high” infection for two consecutive weeks, and the area of more than 10 million people faced an obligation to mask indoors.
Then there was the announcement of Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health. No. For now, there is no universal obligation for indoor masks.
This is the meaning of the decision for all of us.
Q: Q: So are we vacating the house with masks? In other words, does this mean that you don’t need a mask anywhere?
A: Well, no. Despite the decision to oppose full indoor obligations, masks are still needed in some spaces, such as medical facilities, transportation hubs, transportation vehicles, airports, correctional facilities, and shelters.
Q: Q: Do I need to wear a mask indoors?
A: It was strongly encouraged on Thursday. Despite the county’s decision to oppose the mandatory masking, Feller says face coverings are strongly recommended wherever they are needed.
“While we are still in this surge, indoor masking is highly recommended everywhere else,” she said.
Southern California medical professional scores also reflected her feelings.
“From my point of view, Dr. Thomas Yadeger, Intensive Care Medical Director at the Providence Cedars-Siniter Zana Medical Center, said,” This mission probably came into effect a few weeks ago. “
According to Yadeger, his unit saw a “clear” increase in COVID-19 patients, as well as an increase in outpatient care, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.
Q: Q: Does this mean that there is no obligation to mask?
A: Feller added that while COVID-19 infections in LA County appear to be declining, the Department of Public Health will continue to monitor data for significant increases in community expansion.
“If we see a significant increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations, it’s unlikely to happen right away, but it could happen a week from now,” Feller said. “We need to go back and reassess.”
Public health is not advancing universal indoor masking due to reduced infections and hospitalizations. It is highly recommended to wear a mask in public places indoors to delay the spread of COVID-19.
For more information, please visit https://t.co/nm85vNP8js. pic.twitter.com/zJSjRPfpFS
— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) July 28, 2022
Q: Q: If we are in such a high prevalence, why did the authorities decide to oppose the delegation?
A: Things were certainly approaching. However, Feller has recently shown a potential stagnation of cases, suggesting that the county may not be highly infected forever.
Think a little about the Centers for Disease thresholds that put the county in the “high” state in the first place.
The county moved to the upper ranks on July 14, when it reached 10.5 per 100,000 inpatients. On the other hand, the proportion of beds occupied by COVID-19-positive patients was about 5.4%.
A week later, on July 21, the previous indicator rose to 11.7.
According to CDC data, which covers the seven days leading up to July 25, the county hospitalization rate is 11.5 per 100,000.
However, LA County internal data ending July 27 shows a much lower rate of 9.7 per 100,000 people. This will bring the county back to a medium-sized community infection if confirmed by the CDC next week.
Conclusion: We may return to the “medium” territory by next week, and authorities will be urged to postpone the mission.
Q: Q: What about the rest of Southern California? Are other counties considering obligations?
In fact, Los Angeles was one of the few counties in the state to consider such a move — until they postponed. After rising to the “high” category last week, Riverside and San Bernardino counties returned to the CDC’s medium-sized community level on Thursday. Orange County continues to be ranked “high”, but local authorities are not pushing for a mask mandate.
Q: Q: Meanwhile, the virus has continued to spread. Let’s say someone in your home is exposed to someone who tested positive. What should you do?
A: Step 1, put on a mask and stock up on a quick inspection at home. Dr. John Swartsberg, an honorary clinical professor of infectious diseases and vaccines at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, said that your reaction to COVID exposure or positive cases at home could make your home members seriously ill. It states that it should depend on how vulnerable it is. Hospitalization and death.
He proposes to find a “sweet spot” between separating and continuing normal behavior that matches the vulnerability. Homes with older families, immunocompromised residents, or unvaccinated people should be categorized as more cautious, while others should be quarantined less severely or in a shorter period of time. May be selected.
Q: Q: Are you destined to become infected with COVID if someone else at home is tested positive?
A: Close contact with an infected family member does not guarantee a secondary infection. Therefore, if someone in your home is ill or positive on the test, but others in your home are not sick and negative on the rapid test, try to prevent further exposure. Worth it.
Masking, opening windows, and using HEPA air filters are all great tools and can be isolated as space allows.
“Best practice isn’t something everyone can do. It’s a private bedroom and bathroom (to isolate the sick family),” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of infectious disease and UCSF medicine. increase.
Q: Q: What is the best strategy for testing at home?
A: “If exposed, we will test on days 3 and 5,” Swartzberg said, saying that the incubation period of the new Omicron strain is shorter than in previous versions, and many infected people are within a few days. He pointed out that he felt sick. .. “If you’re testing negative after the fifth day, you’re probably avoiding the infection,” he said, but a few more, especially if someone near you is vulnerable. You need to be careful for days.
The CDC recommends 5 days of quarantine and an additional 5 days of masking for persons known to be exposed to COVID.
Q: Q: What if I’m already infected with COVID?
A: “It’s easy these days,” said Chin Hong. “They are still at risk.” Even if they were infected with COVID in early June, “it’s a BA.5 superpower,” he said. People infected with COVID only four weeks ago are at risk of reinfection, but in the early stages of a pandemic, up to three people can be expected to become infected. Probably months without reinfection.
Q: Q: Where can I get a free rapid test?
A: After the Biden administration recently announced a third round of free test kits, all US households should be able to order up to 16 free quick tests from the federal government through the Covidtests.gov website.
You may also be able to get a quick, free test through your health care provider. People with Kaiser Permanente insurance can request a free test, just like those with Medi-Cal or Medicare insurance. Also, most large pharmacy chains have a way to require a free test for insurance for those who have an employer-provided plan.
Q: Q: You took a quick test that showed negative. Are you clear?
A: Not if you are experiencing symptoms, says Swartzberg. “If you have a cough, sore throat, or runny nose, you have a respiratory virus. It may not be COVID, but it may be COVID. If you have an infectious respiratory disease, tell others You need to stay away.
Chin-Hong recommends wiping both the back of the throat and the nose when performing a rapid test. This can help detect the virus early. This is a common practice in the UK, but it is not yet officially recommended here.
In conclusion, if you or your family are exposed and have symptoms, it is best to assume that you are infected with COVID, even if a rapid test shows negative in the first few days of the symptoms.
Staffwriters Brennon Dixon, Clara Harter, Tyler Evans, Chris Hair, Harriet Rowan and Ryan Carter contributed to this report. City News Service also contributed.
