To mask, or not to mask, that is the question. It’s been a confusing one on the Central and South Coasts after the federal Centers for Disease Control eased some mask wearing rules.
The CDC did change some guidelines, but some, like masks in airplanes remain. More than 20 states have dropped their mask mandates. But, California decided to keep its key rules in place through June 15th, when the state is planning to drop its COVID-19 color coded reopening regulations.
What added to the confusion was some major national retailers dropping their mask bans. But, their stores in California still have to follow state, and county regulations.
On the Central and South Coasts, the answer is simple. In most cases, like going into a restaurant or store, the rules haven’t changed.
Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin says you need to take the same kinds of mask precautions indoors in places like stores, restaurant, and movie theaters, even if you are fully vaccinated
So, will people continue to wear masks even when they don’t have to?
Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin believes masks won’t completely disappear, especially in the fall and winter. He says look at what happen in many Asian countries which were hard hit by SARS several years ago. Some people voluntarily wear masks to stay safe
State officials say they don’t disagree with the CDC recommendations. But, they say the extra few weeks will give businesses a chance to get ready for the changes. And they say the extra mask time provides extra protection against potential COVID-19 variant surges.
