The Debate Continues: Should COVID Mask Mandates Return Amid New Variants?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not released a new mask mandate for 2023, despite the emergence of new COVID variants such as Eris and BA.2.86. While Eris is similar to the Omicron variant, BA.2.86 is notable for having a differentiating spike protein. However, there have only been three reported cases of BA.2.86 in the United States, and it is still unclear how severe or transmissible it may be. COVID cases are on the rise, but the CDC has not reinstated mask mandates. Wearing masks in crowded settings is recommended, especially for high-risk individuals, but it would likely be selective and not at the level of previous pandemic peaks. Monitoring personal risk, staying updated on vaccinations, and being aware of symptoms are advised.