ToplineHealth officials are being forced to reconsider a long-standing trend of loosening Covid restrictions. This has led some cities to reintroduce mask mandates to all residents, regardless of their vaccine status.Several cities reinstated mask mandates in the wake of the Delta variant's rise. gettyThe Key FactsKansas City will again enforce a mask policy starting Monday at 12:01 AM. This mandate requires all residents over 5 years old to wear masks indoors and in public places. At the start of this week, St. Louis reinstated a similar mandate. On Friday, Nevada's 12 counties that have "substantial transmission" or higher will see a new mandate for masks. This includes Clark County, home to Las Vegas. Savannah, Georgia has enacted a mandate requiring residents to wear masks indoors, and not near their immediate families, this week. After a huge coronavirus outbreak, the Cape Cod community of Provincetown in Massachusetts reinstated its mask mandate. Los Angeles County was first U.S. locale to reinstate a mandate. It went into effect July 17.Important BackgroundThe CDC, in a significant reversal, advised fully vaccinated Americans on Tuesday to begin masking again in areas of the country where coronavirus transmission rates are high. This included the majority of the western and southern United States. The CDC announced in May that fully vaccinated Americans don't need to wear masks or keep their distance in most situations. This was a surprise for many. However, a significant rise in coronavirus infections due to the Delta variant and what Dr. Rochelle Walensky called a "worrisome trend" of breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated people prompted the CDC to change its guidelines. Except for the cities mentioned above, most cities are choosing to use the new guidance only as guidance, rather than to put in place broad mask mandates. While many localities are encouraging mask-wearing for the moment, some cities have even put in place an advisory that is not legally binding.ContraAt least six states have passed laws that prohibit local governments from placing mask mandates. You can find a complete list here.Chief CriticEric Schmitt, Missouri Attorney General (R), has filed a lawsuit to block the St. Louis mask mandate. He also promised to sue Kansas City.Continue readingCDC recommends masks again, including for fully vaccinated in certain places. Worrisome new science about Delta Variant (Forbes).St. Louis: The Newest City to Tighten Covid GuidelinesSee the Full List (Forbes).A new CDC mask guidance is being issued by the Delta-Fueled Covid Surge. Here are the states where mandatory masks cannot be legally reimposed (Forbes).Los Angeles will reinstate Saturday's indoor mask mandate in light of rising cases (Forbes).Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
