With COVID transmission data removed from the CDC website after the end of the public health emergency, wastewater is now our best indicator for surges.
And wastewater data shows that all of NYC has high COVID levels.
Note that NYC switched to a more sensitive COVID wastewater detection method in March. But per Dr. David Larsen who runs the dashboard, this isn't responsible for the increase. So likely uptick is due to real world COVID spread.
Note that New York State COVID wastewater levels are graded high, moderate, and low. These levels correlate to similar ones on the CDC's old transmission map tracking COVID tests. Intent is to make NYS wastewater data easier to interpret to the public & to make policy decisions.
It isn't surprising that we are seeing an uptick of COVID cases at the start of summer of 2023. We've seen a similar pattern ever since Omicron appeared, where there's been a high level of COVID spread throughout the whole year apart from a couple of months in spring.
Previous CDC guidance directed hospitals to institute mask mandates when COVID transmission is high. They removed this when the PHE ended, citing lack of testing data as an excuse.
But wastewater data shows COVID levels are high. NYC hospitals should #KeepMasksInHealthcare!
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The University of California is banning masks in the middle of one of the largest summer COVID surges of the pandemic. Unacceptable. theguardian.com/us-news/articl…
Here's the list of things banned from University of California.
It says "no person shall wear a mask with the intent of
intimidating any person or group, or for the purpose of evading identification."
Unclear if it includes wearing mask for COVID protection or health reasons.
Here's the full letter from the University of California President which provides details on their mask and protest ban: documentcloud.org/documents/2505…
It's official: Mask ban in Nassau County, New York passes along party lines, 12-0 (7 abstentions). It makes wearing a mask a misdemeanor (with unclear health and religious exceptions) and gives police the power to fine people wearing a mask $1,000 and sentence them to jail time.
Here's the Nassau County mask ban bill language. Health and religious exceptions are noted, but leaves it up to the judgement of the police officer. As written, the ban applies to all public spaces, not just protests. There will be many legal challenges.
If you are in Nassau County, please keep wearing mask. The mask ban bill does still include a health exception, so you have the right to assert that you are wearing a mask for health reasons. But the bill gives cops power to intimidate people wearing a mask, so please be careful.
Noah Lyles, who just won gold in the 100m sprint at the Paris Olympics suffers from asthma. He takes several precautions including wearing a mask to protect himself from COVID.
An important lesson is that you can never easily tell who is “vulnerable” to COVID. Olympic champions are at risk from COVID. In different ways COVID poses a risk to all of us. This is why it’s important for everyone to take measures to protect themselves and others from COVID.
UPDATE: Here's the language of the proposed mask ban bill in Nassau County, NY. It's bad!
While health is mentioned, the ban would apply to public places and some private properties, and gives police power to ask anyone to remove their mask.
The Nassau County mask ban bill (with some exceptions) prohibits a mask wearer to "enter, or appear upon or within any sidewalk, walkway, alley, street, road, highway or other public right-of-way or public property or private property without the consent of the owner or tenant."
Nassau County mask ban bill says for each exception (eg health) "a law enforcement officer may require a person or persons to remove the mask during traffic stops or when the officer has reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and/or intention to partake in criminal activity."
Violet Affleck: "To confront the Long COVID crisis I demand mask availability, air filtration and far-UVC light in government facilities, including jails and detention centers and mask mandates in county medical facilities. We must expand availability of tests and treatment.
And most importantly, the county must oppose mask bans for any reason. They do not keep us safer. They make them vulnerable members of our community less safe and make everyone less able to participate in Los Angeles together. Thank you." 🔥🔥🔥
Here's the full transcript of Violet Affleck's public comment objecting to the mask ban in Los Angeles.
Thanks to @joaquinlife for sharing, and all his advocacy work!