Graphic by State of California from Gov. Newsom’s Wear a Mask campaign.
Also includes Counties of Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley; Napa and Solano Counties not included
With the COVID-19 Delta variant now infecting a small percentage of vaccinated people as well as many unvaccinated people, eight Bay Area health officers have issued health orders requiring masks indoors in public places.
The orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd.
Vaccines remain the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Nonetheless, the Delta variant is infecting a small percentage of the vaccinated in the Bay Area — who still remain strongly protected against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In those instances of infection in a vaccinated person, a face covering prevents further spread. Bay Area health officials urge all unvaccinated residents 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“We must act now to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community. If you are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine and have not yet done so, please do not wait any longer,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa. “During July the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in our county increased 400%. Four out of five of the COVID patients we see are not vaccinated, even though only one out of five Contra Costa adults are not vaccinated.”
These health orders aim to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and protect everyone. Health officials are very concerned by the substantial levels of community transmission now found across the Bay Area, especially among unvaccinated people. In part, this is due to the widespread COVID-19 Delta variant, which is substantially more transmissible than previous forms of the virus. Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicates that even fully vaccinated individuals can in some cases spread the Delta variant to others, and so indoor use of face coverings provides an important added layer of protection.
The new Health Orders require wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public settings. Indoor settings, whether public or private, are higher risk for COVID-19 transmission, especially when you are with people you do not live with. Health officials also recommend that all employers make face coverings available to individuals entering their businesses, and businesses are required to implement the indoor face covering order.
Today’s Health Orders are consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health, which recommend that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks while in indoor public settings. Bay Area Health Officers will continue to monitor data, including increasing vaccination throughout the region, to determine when the Orders can be adjusted or lifted.
For more information about COVID-19, and how to get a free vaccine near you, visit cchealth.org/coronavirus.
I’m so glad that we are allowing people to not get vaccinated when that should be what’s mandated. I didn’t particularly want to be vaccinated but did for the greater good of our community and fellow Americans. Now because of their irresponsible choice, a vaccinated individual has to wear a mask. They all want to say their body their choice, well I should be able to say the same. If they want to get sick then that’s on them. I did what I was supposed to. This is disgusting.
D,
That’s actually, not correct.
“The recommendation that vaccinated people in some parts of the country dust off their masks was based largely on one troublesome finding, according to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New research showed that vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant carry tremendous amounts of the virus in the nose and throat, she said in an email responding to questions from The New York Times.
The finding contradicts what scientists had observed in vaccinated people infected with previous versions of the virus, who mostly seemed incapable of infecting others.
That conclusion dealt Americans a heavy blow: People with so-called breakthrough infections — cases that occur despite full vaccination — of the Delta variant may be just as contagious as unvaccinated people, even if they have no symptoms.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/health/cdc-masks-vaccinated-transmission.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes
Allen Payton, Publisher
“I did what I was supposed to do” echoes of millions slaughtered by Communism or Nazism. You do yo and the government is not here to help. Where are door knockers for TB, for migrants that did not get their kids vaccinated for even 3rd work diseases. Think outside the fear or virtue signaling box. THAT is disgusting
So when will fully vaccinated people actually be able to not wear a mask? What if another variant of COVOD comes along (which is what viruses do) after the Delta… At some point, the rights of vaccinated people need to be taken into account.
I believe in our freedoms here in America, if people choose to play Russian rouete, so be it. Just do not do it by me.
None of this makes sense and never will!!! It’s a way to keep FEAR in people.
What is the point to be vaccinated if you have to “wear a mask”!
This Delta Variant is like the flu, it’s mutated and treatable. The focus is cases NOT DEATHS…. Dest rate is still 0.01%. The word PROTECT is laughable. These Health Officials/CDC and more, can give 2 shots about the people.
Keep making BIG PHARMA richer along with the LIBERALS in office.
Pathetic behavior…
None of this makes sense and never will!!! It’s a way to keep FEAR in people.
What is the point to be vaccinated if you have to “wear a mask”!
This Delta Variant is like the flu, it’s mutated and treatable. The focus is cases NOT DEATHS…. Dest rate is still 0.01%. The word PROTECT is laughable. These Health Officials/CDC and more, can give 2 shots about the people.
Keep making BIG PHARMA richer along with the LIBERALS in office.
Pathetic behavior…
None of this makes sense and never will!!! It’s a way to keep FEAR in people.
What is the point to be vaccinated if you have to “wear a mask”!
This Delta Variant is like the flu, it’ mutates and is treatable.
The focus is cases NOT DEATHS…. The death rate is still 0.01%.
The word PROTECT is laughable. These Health Officials/CDC and more, can give 2 shots about the people.
Keep making BIG PHARMA richer along with the LIBERALS in office.
Pathetic behavior…