Coronavirus Watch: The mask-on, mask-off routine
Hello Coronavirus Watch,
Last Thursday, I visited the Max Fisher Music Center to hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra play Beethoven’s ninth symphony. It had been more than two years since I was there due to the pandemic. As I walked in with my dad and niece, it felt calming to be back inside the state-of-the-art facility with its amazing acoustics.
Some things were new: Signs were all around, letting patrons know they needed to show vaccination cards or a negative COVID test, and signs encouraging the use of masks. It was a nice "return-to-normal" evening; an evening when for just a few brief moments, the orchestra and singers made me forget the stress of the pandemic.
And then, the news broke early Friday — 16 Michigan counties are at a high infection rate and indoor masking is recommended … again.
The mask-on, mask-off game is one that we have long been tired of playing. However, the numbers in Michigan have surged again. Michigan reported 29,267 new COVID-19 cases, an average of 4,181 per day, and 78 new deaths over the last week, according to data released Wednesday by the state health department. This is a 5.6% increase in new cases and a 2.6% increase in deaths since the previous week.
Ferndale Public Schools in Oakland County have reinstated mask-wearing for students and staff. Also, the Detroit Health Department is offering a helping hand by expanding services to treat residents with COVID-19 via a site allowing residents to get tested, evaluated on-site, and prescribed oral medication for the virus.
Allergy season is upon us
As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough, there are also more Michiganders suffering from allergies this year.
The culprit? “Climate change is making it worse,” said Kathleen Slonager, executive director of the Michigan chapter of the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
This year, the allergy season has started early. And with the uptick of COVID-19 cases, it can be difficult to tell whether a person is suffering from allergies, or possibly a breakthrough infection of the virus. We offer some advice on how to find relief from your allergies.
Despite the virus and extra sneezing, we can be thankful that the Memorial Day holiday weekend is near, and many Michiganders are prepared to relax, travel, cook, or a combination of all three. Safely, of course.
Thank you so much for reading today’s Coronavirus Watch newsletter, and don’t forget to subscribe to some of our other great newsletters, too.
Stay safe,
Leah
Newsletter Editor
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Coronavirus Watch: The mask-on, mask-off routine
