All articles tagged with #mask mandate
Brown University Health has implemented a strict mask requirement at all its hospitals due to rising respiratory virus transmission, including COVID-19 and flu, requiring all patients, visitors, and staff to wear Level 2 surgical masks at all times.
Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper reinstates a mask mandate for all in-patient areas due to a surge in flu cases, with other visitor restrictions in place until March 31 to protect patients and staff during the flu season.
Brown University has implemented a mask mandate across all facilities due to a rise in respiratory viruses, requiring masks for patients, visitors, and staff during direct care to prevent transmission.
Sonoma County has mandated that all health care personnel working with patients must wear masks from November 18, 2024, to April 30, 2025, to combat the spread of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses. The order, issued by interim health officer Dr. Karen Smith, applies to all employees in patient care areas, regardless of vaccination status, and includes businesses with health care facilities. Dr. Smith also recommends updated vaccinations and mask-wearing indoors during high-risk periods to prevent overwhelming health systems.
Jennifer Lopez showcased a '70s-inspired look with a rare $75,000 Birkin bag during an outing in the Hamptons with her stepdaughter Violet Affleck. Violet, who wore a casual pink ensemble, recently spoke out against a proposed mask ban in Los Angeles, advocating for better health measures to combat long Covid.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a bill primarily due to a campaign finance provision that would allow wealthy donors to funnel money to state and county parties through special federal political organizations. The bill, which also included changes to mask mandates and penalties for wearing masks during crimes or protests, now returns to the state legislature where Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities. The veto has sparked debate over financial transparency and First Amendment rights.
'Yellowstone' actor Forrie J. Smith was reportedly removed from a plane in Houston after refusing to sit next to a masked passenger, citing discomfort. Smith, known for his role as Lloyd Pierce on the show, has been vocal about his stance on COVID-19 measures, including skipping the Screen Actors Guild Awards due to vaccination requirements. The incident has sparked controversy, with Smith reiterating his objection to sitting next to someone wearing a mask in a video posted on social media.
"Yellowstone" actor Forrie J. Smith claimed he was removed from a flight in Houston after refusing to sit next to a passenger wearing a mask, expressing his discomfort with the situation. This incident follows his decision to skip the Screen Actors Guild awards due to vaccination requirements, stating his disbelief in vaccinations and mask-wearing. Smith's representatives have not commented on the flight incident, and it's unclear which airline was involved.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Republican lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tom Massie, and Ralph Norman, who had their pay docked for flouting a mask mandate in the House of Representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers had sued former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the fines, but lower courts ruled that Pelosi could not be sued due to lack of jurisdiction over Congress' internal rules. The current House speaker's lawyers also agreed with this decision, emphasizing that the case was not about the wisdom of the rule but rather about contesting the fines in court.
The Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from three GOP House members challenging $500 fines for not wearing masks on the House floor in 2021, despite CDC guidance on vaccinated individuals. The mask mandate was part of the House's COVID-19 response and remained in place until June 2021. Lower courts upheld the fines, ruling that they couldn't review the mask policy, and House Speaker Mike Johnson's lawyers urged the court to reject the appeal, noting that Republican leadership had voted against the policy.
Los Angeles County health care facilities no longer require masks for employees and visitors, with the mandate to be reinstated if COVID-19 hospital admissions reach a certain level. The county is currently at a "low level" and is expected to remain below the threshold. Officials still recommend wearing masks when in contact with patients, and the move follows California's shortened COVID-19 isolation guidelines. Public Health officials advise residents to wear masks, especially during the fall and winter, but it's not required.
California has relaxed its COVID-19 isolation guidance, allowing infected individuals with no symptoms to leave home sooner or not isolate at all, as long as their symptoms are improving. However, they must wear high-quality masks for 10 days and test negative on two consecutive rapid tests before stopping isolation. Some experts criticize the looser guidance, while others note that many residents haven't been following official guidance anyway. The state's winter wave of COVID-19 appears to be plateauing or declining, with lower levels of severe illness due to vaccinations, natural immunity, and new medications.
The city of St. Louis experienced a whirlwind of events as it announced and then rescinded a mask mandate for city workers within hours, with the governor's office credited for the sudden change. Despite rising COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases, the mandate faced conservative backlash and was ultimately reversed to a "strong recommendation." The city's health department emphasized the importance of mask-wearing and urged residents to take precautions to prevent strain on the healthcare system.
UPMC has reinstated its mask mandate in response to a spike in COVID-19, RSV, and flu cases. The health system is urging everyone to wear masks to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses. In Allegheny County, there have been over 2,500 confirmed flu cases, with influenza being the dominant strain. Health care professionals recommend getting vaccinated, wearing masks, staying home if sick, and practicing good hand hygiene to protect oneself.
Dr. Jeff Pothof, Chief Quality Officer at UW Health, explains that the decision to reinstate mask requirements at UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter is driven by the surge in COVID-19 cases and the highly contagious Delta variant. The mask mandate aims to protect patients, staff, and the community, as masks have proven to be effective in reducing the spread of the virus. The hospitals prioritize public safety and encourage everyone to follow the guidelines to mitigate the risk of infection.