Should CA Mask Up Again? Patch Readers Weigh In

CALIFORNIA — The coronavirus case count has risen sharply in the Golden State this week — among both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents — resurrecting a discussion about masks just a month and a half after inoculated Californians were given a green light to stop wearing them in most settings.

On Wednesday, the California Department of Public Health formally recommended that state residents resume wearing face-coverings indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. In a recent non-scientific survey, we asked Patch readers whether they thought the recommendation was warranted.

Out of a pool of 6,778 respondents, 50.6 percent said "yes," 43.7 percent answered "no" and 5.6 percent answered "maybe."

The survey — which appeared in questionnaire form this week on Patch — is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

"The delta variant has caused a sharp increase in hospitalizations and case rates across the state," Dr. Tomas Aragon, the state's public health officer said this week. "We are recommending masking in indoor public places to slow the spread while we continue efforts to get more Californians vaccinated."

California's nudge for residents, both unvaccinated and vaccinated, to mask up indoors came just one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued similar guidance for those who live in areas where COVID-19 is surging once again. More than 90 percent of the state's population lives in areas with substantial or high transmission rates, CDPH officials said.

The summer surge is being fueled by the highly contagious delta variant, which quickly peppered the nation with new infections throughout July.

CDC documents obtained by the Washington Post this week revealed that the mutation was as contagious as chickenpox. In more hair-raising news, the variant also increases the likelihood that a vaccinated person falls ill, although instances of serious illness, hospitalization and death remain rare.

People with breakthrough infections make up an increasing portion of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths among COVID-19 patients, as the delta variant spreads, according to the CDC's documents.

"The war has changed," federal officials from the CDC wrote this week.

Of Patch readers surveyed this week, 88.4 percent said they were vaccinated while 11.6 percent said they were not.

Federal officials this week also advised fully vaccinated Americans to get tested if they have been exposed to the coronavirus.

We asked readers: If you ARE vaccinated, will you mask up indoors (if you aren't already doing so)?

• 53.7 percent said "yes"
• 32.4 percent said "no"
• 13.6 percent said "it depends how crowded the location is"

We also asked unvaccinated respondents whether they would mask up indoors:

• 41.8 percent said "yes"
• 47.2 percent said "no"
• 11 percent said "it depends how crowded the location is"

In Los Angeles County, the indoor mask mandate has already been reinstated and dozens of bars within the county are beginning to require a vaccination card or negative test upon entry.

Public health officials in 10 of the 11 counties in the Bay Area issued similar guidance over the last two weeks, urging residents to wear face coverings inside.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also announced this week that state employees and health care workers will be required to become vaccinated or get tested at least once a week.

"We're mindful that there are a lot of people that are still anxious, a lot of people that still need to work with doctors and private settings to work through those anxieties," Newsom said Tuesday.

We asked readers whether they thought California's mask mandate should be reinstated: 48.2 percent said "yes" while 51.8 percent answered "no."

Readers shared the following statements on the state's latest guidance:

They have lost all credibility with me. The rules are for thee and not for me.

Delta will run its course like any other virus

Vaccines should be mandatory

If you’ve been vaccinated and are supposedly free of spreading germs, then why wear a mask? This makes no sense.

If wearing a simple mask can save lives.. then it's worth it. But, what would be better is for the people who refuse to get vaccinated to get better educated and get vaccinated. In the meantime, in addition to mask mandates, I support vaccine mandates.

Look at Florida and Texas. They are fine. Stop trying to control people. We live in a free county and should be given our freedoms back!

It seems clear to me that things were relaxed prematurely. I think eveyone possible should be required to be vaccinated.

This feels like it could go on forever, and at some point we need to move on with our lives. Where a mask if you want to and don't if you don't want to. This should be a personal choice, not a government one.

People need to get vaccinated so we can live normally again. I hope we can get the message across to people!!!

The unvaccinated are causing this problem...this IS NOT political; it's scientific!!!!!!

Vaccinations are available for anyone who is age-eligible and the vaccinations are extremely effective for preventing hospitalizations and death. It's a choice then if one wants to protect themselves or not. The disease is not dangerous for kids.

We cannot eradicate this virus without the population masking up and getting vaccinated. Those who do not follow guideline prolong the presence of the virus.