Indoor mask mandate released for those vaccinated
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - On February 15th, California's statewide indoor mask requirement will no longer be in affect for those who are vaccinated.
Unvaccinated people and those who are not fully vaccinated must still wear masks in indoor public settings.
According to Governor Newsom, cases have decreased 65% throughout California since the Omicron peak. In Imperial Valley, numbers have gone down significantly. In the Board of Supervisors meeting on January 25th, Public Health Director, Janette Angulo reported over 4,000 active COVID cases and as of Tuesday, there are now 2,100 active cases.
Imperial County Public Health Officer, Dr. Stephen Munday says we are now on the backside of the surge but the main reason of the mask continuance was an additional layer of protection to limit the spread of Omicron.
"Now that we are on the backside, transmission's decreasing, we're seeing fewer cases, the positivity rates are decreasing so this is a response to that. So what has happened is they rescinded the additional requirements they added in December," Munday said.
Dr. Munday says everyone eligible should get the covid vaccine and booster shot as soon as possible, but some are hesitant.
Ernest Pacheco, one Imperial Valley resident I spoke with, says he doesn't believe in any of it.
"This pandemic is almost like false. Everybody gets their shot and they still get the covid. So Why?" said Pacheco.
It's a sentiment shared by others, although the numbers show those who are vaccinated are less likely to end up in the hospital with severe symptoms.
Imperial County reported more than 800 deaths since the virus first hit our area.
COVIDACTNOW.ORG says 95% of eligible Imperial County residents have at least one shot of the COVID vaccine. 86% are fully vaccinated, but only 28% have the booster shot.
Begging the question of whether more locals will finally be convinced to get the booster shot.
Even though the mask mandate will be lifted, there are exceptions.
Schools and federal transportation will still require masking whether or not you are vaccinated.
