"Marin County Implements Extended Mask Mandate to Combat COVID-19 Surge"
Marin County in California has reinstated a face mask mandate until March 2024, requiring anyone entering a hospital to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. The move aims to prevent the spread of diseases, including COVID-19. While hospitalizations and positive cases of COVID-19 in the US have risen over the summer, they appeared to reach a peak at the end of September. The Royal Society in the UK has concluded that face masks "unequivocally" reduce COVID-19 infections. However, mask mandates have faced opposition from top Republicans, with some states, like Texas, banning government agencies from enforcing them. Marin County's mandate can impose penalties, including misdemeanor charges or jail time, for non-compliance.