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* Kelly Bauer…
All people 2 and older must once again wear masks when indoors in public in Chicago starting Friday, officials announced Tuesday.
The return of the mask mandate comes as the city sees a surge of COVID-19 cases fueled by the more contagious Delta variant.
Masks will be required for all people — including those fully vaccinated — so long as they’re 2 or older and indoors in a public place. They can be removed during certain activities, like eating and drinking at bars and restaurants.
People working in settings not open to the public and who can remain distant from coworkers — like those in office cubicles — can also remove their masks, according to the city’s policy.
Gov. Pritzker was asked about a possible statewide mask mandate this afternoon, but he didn’t appear to be at all ready to do something like that.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:02 pm
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I just don’t understand why we’re still dealing with this problem when we’ve identified a solution that is readily available. It makes no sense to me.
Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:18 pm
Thankfully, the virus can’t be transmitted when people’s mouths are full of food or drinking beer.
Logic wins again.
Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:21 pm
@ Moe Berg,
I take it, then, that you think bars and restaurants should be shut down again? Because as far as I know, there’s no way to eat or drink while wearing a mask.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:30 pm
I understand the impulse for this decision, but IMO it’s the wrong approach and sends the wrong message.
This does nothing to incentivize vaccinations, and could actually have the opposite effect.
I’d much rather see a vaccine requirement (or proof of exemption) for ALL indoor spaces. The onus should be put where it belongs - on those who have voluntarily chosen to forego the vaccine.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:33 pm
This is dumb for all of the reasons noted above. The same people who won’t get vaccinated aren’t going to wear masks. At this point either require a vaxx card or let people live with the consequences of their own health choices.
Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:41 pm
===This does nothing to incentivize vaccinations, and could actually have the opposite effect.===
Saying that vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks also doesn’t incentivize vaccinations, since anti-vaxxers will just lie and say they’re vaccinated so they don’t have to wear a mask.
Which is even worse.
Comment by North Park Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:49 pm
Research analyzing state responses to COVID over the past year (March 20-March 21) indicates that restrictions work well and that the earlier they are imposed, the more effective they are.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/08/17/1027454405/covid-mask-mandate-school-gyms-bars-grocery-slow-spread-coronavirus
You can click through the NPR story to read the article, it’s short and relatively easy to understand.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:50 pm
Disappointed in this. I am young, healthy, and live alone and I am vaccinated. If places actually enforce this mandate I will, of course, throw on the mask - but I don’t expect many small mom and pop places have any interest in enforcing this, and frankly I don’t blame them.
What is the endgame here?
Comment by unreal Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:54 pm
==Saying that vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks also doesn’t incentivize vaccinations, since anti-vaxxers will just lie and say they’re vaccinated so they don’t have to wear a mask==
That’s why I advocated for a vaccine mandate, if you bothered to read the very next sentence I wrote.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 3:57 pm
=JoanP= I think the point Moe was making is that it’s beyond silly to have mask mandates at all if there’s a giant loophole for people who are eating or drinking that makes them effectively useless in bars or restaurants.
Of course, I don’t want them to shut back down. I want them to succeed. But I do not understand how the City can justify mask mandates under the banner of “public safety” while also allowing people to remove their masks while they’re eating mere inches from another person.
Comment by unreal Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 4:00 pm
==That’s why I advocated for a vaccine mandate,==
Well, that’s not going to happen. We’ll just have to settle for the next best thing, this.
Comment by North Park Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 4:01 pm
@Joan P what @unreal said
Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 4:09 pm
=Well, that’s not going to happen. We’ll just have to settle for the next best thing, this.=
The vaccine mandates are coming. Make no mistake about that. It will probably coincide with FDA approval. The floodgates will soon open as businesses need to put this behind them and mandates are the only logical way to make that happen. Restrictions were needed when they were our only tool to fight this. That’s no longer the case.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 4:27 pm
==Well, that’s not going to happen==
In fact, it is happening in a number of places. Try the Google.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 4:54 pm
==What is the endgame here?==
Slowing/stopping the spread of a global pandemic? Just a guess. /s
Public policy, such as a mask mandate, is about slowing the spread, not about the safety of each individual person. A mask mandate with bars/restaurants still open reduces the overall odds that hospitals will be overrun. It doesn’t mean you as an individual are safe in any particular environment.
Comment by Leslie K Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 4:55 pm
= The vaccine mandates are coming. =
Just today, I got emails from Lyric Opera and Court Theatre announcing that they will be requiring proof of vaccination, AND properly worn masks.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 9:47 pm
The vaccine reduces the likelihood you will catch the virus and end up in the hospital; it does not prevent you from catching the virus. Research indicates that vaccinated people can have very high viral loads in their sinuses even if they are asymptomatic. The mask protects others from a virus you may be carrying and reduces the likelihood that you will infect others. Wearing a mask while you are not eating reduces the viral load you add to the environment.
It amazes me that after a year and a half folks still do not understand the purpose of the mask.
If you still are not clear, think about a hospital operating room…everyone wears a mask in order to protect the patient. If they want to protect themselves, they wear a respirator.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 10:22 pm
If I were a betting man, I would say that as soon as the State Fair is over, Pritzker will implement a statewide indoor mask mandate again. However the difference this time will be that only about 10-20% of the State will follow it…
Comment by NeveroddoreveN Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 6:33 am