Hospitals across the United States are reinstating mask mandates as a new COVID-19 strain, JN.1, spreads throughout the country.
Medical facilities in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C. have issued divisive rules, mandating selected individuals to wear masks in medical settings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen by 10.4 percent across America in the week leading to December 16th. Over the same period, there has been a 3.4 percent increase in coronavirus-related deaths.
The controversy around mask mandates began when they were first implemented during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020. However, medical professionals and the CDC have continued to stress the importance of wearing masks not only in hospitals but also outside in public settings.
Currently, no state in the country has a mandatory mask policy for any indoor and outdoor setting. However, Mass General Brigham, the largest health system in Massachusetts, has announced that effective Jan. 2, healthcare staff directly engaging with patients in clinical-care settings must wear masks until respiratory illnesses fall below a certain percentage.
The hospital will provide masks to patients and visitors, who are strongly encouraged to wear them as well. Staff in hallways and common areas are exempt from wearing masks.
