LA County ‘Strongly Recommending’ Indoor Masking as Cases ‘Sharply Increasing’
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FLV) – Los Angeles County is reportedly “strongly recommending” residents return to indoor masking as COVID-19 infection rates are “sharply increasing” as of the beginning of November.
There has not yet been a newly imposed mask mandate, but some facilities, like healthcare and congregate-care facilities, do require them for anyone exposed to COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 infections rose to 100 per 100,000 residents, increasing from 86 per 100,000 the week prior. Before then, the rate was 65 per 100,000.
“Now it is strongly recommended that all individuals wear a high-quality mask that fits well in the following settings: in public indoor spaces; when using public transit, including buses, ride-shares, taxis and medical transport; correctional and detention facilities; and homeless and emergency shelters,” county Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said.
The news drew criticism and laughter from readers who disagree with the widespread use of face masks.
“Damn, look at the hidden replies,” the Hodge Twins said.
“What year is this? This record is broken, take it off the turntable,” another replied.
ABC7 hid some replies to the tweet, with hundreds of users telling mask-recommending public health officials to “f–k off.”
Florida has gone many months without any sort of mask mandate or recommendation. Charlie Crist, who lost resoundingly to Gov. Ron DeSantis by around 20 points, was under fire during his campaign for being open to a statewide mask mandate based on what “scientists” recommend.
“I would be open to doing what scientists advise — not political scientists,” Crist said. “Yes. I just read an article this morning. I’m glad you brought it up. So I’m going to the airport right after this. I’m going to Orlando, and I’m going to wear a mask on the plane. You don’t have to anymore, but I’m going to because Florida is experiencing an uptick that began this week. And it’s not even the Omicron B2. It’s a new variant.”
In August, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention finally adopted health guidelines similar to Florida’s, which urged individuals to make their own decisions on masking.
“CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance,” they said in a press release. Notable guideline updates including no quarantine requirements for those exposed to COVID-19, unvaccinated individuals now have the same guidance as vaccinated, students may remain in class if they were exposed to the virus, and those showing symptoms are not recommended to be screened for the disease.
Then-Florida Department of Health Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern joked that Florida had similar guidance around six months ago.
“Wait. Who had this guidance 6 months ago?” he Tweeted.
In February, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo released “Buck the CDC” COVID guidelines focused on emphasizing individual decision-making and risk assessment.
The protocols were meant to be “pushing back on unscientific corporate masking, reducing isolation for all Floridians including those in schools and daycares, and recommending that physicians should exercise their individual clinical judgement and expertise based on their patients’ needs and preferences.”
The guidance advised against masking employees, advised health care practitioners and facilities to favor “scientifically based treatment options” for patients, limited the isolation time for children, students, and other Floridians to five days. Find the full guidance here.
