Are masks coming back? Experts weigh in as more people get sick
More and more people are bringing back masks as we get deeper into the holiday season. Medical experts say there are definitely more people getting sick in recent weeks and they say people are trying to better protect themselves using what worked during the pandemic.
In Jamaica Plain – masks are still required by some businesses to get in the door. “We don’t want workers to get sick. We care about them too and we rely on them,” a customer said. Coming off Thanksgiving and more people getting sick in general – masks seem to be on a comeback. “A lot of people I try to wear a mask. I don’t like it, I don’t enjoy it but I don’t want to get sick,” said the customer.
Doctor Shira Doron is the Hospital Epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center. She says there is an uptick in covid and all respiratory viruses. “Sounds like some parts of NY have reached their orange level. In that orange level the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors,” said Doron.
Back when the mask mandate was lifted last year people thought there would be no looking back. Dr Doron says masks have now become an important tool for staying healthy. “What we have learned from the pandemic is people can choose to protect themselves with a high quality, well-fitting mask,” said Doron. “It actually works better when people assess their own risk and take it upon themselves to protect themselves”
The Dr also explained that even though Boston is seeing higher covid numbers in the wastewater – hospitalizations are still on a safe zone so there is no CDC mask recommendation locally.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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