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| Photo from Baltimore Sun |
With increasing cases of COVID, due to the Delta variant of the virus, Baltimore City reinstated its mask mandate earlier this month. As quoted on social media, Mayor Brandon Scott said, “Baltimore, we’re not out of the woods yet. Far too many of our neighbors are dying. Until this pandemic is behind us, the safest action you can take for yourself and your neighbors is to wear your mask on your face and over your nose.”
The new local health ordinance reintroduces an indoor mask requirement for all Baltimore City residents and guests, regardless of vaccination status. This Health Order, issued by Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, aligns Baltimore City with the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding jurisdictions seeing substantial case transmission. The Order took effect at 9:00 a.m., Monday, August 9th.
In line with recent CDC guidance to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, CDC has recommended that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear a mask indoors in public, in areas of substantial or high transmission. According to CDC data, as of August 5th, Baltimore City reaches the “substantial” risk category, with approximately 50.89 cases per 100,000 residents, over a 7 day average for the time period between July 27th and August 2nd.
“The Delta variant is here, and it poses a serious threat to our unvaccinated residents,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa. “I’m speaking to you not just as the Health Commissioner but as a mother of a child that is too young to be vaccinated. We have the ability to slow the spread COVID-19 and the actions we all take collectively will protect the most vulnerable among us.”
https://mayor.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2021-08-05-mayor-scott-reinstates-indoor-mask-requirement-baltimore-city
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