Is the White House preparing to institute a new federal mask mandate?
A combination of four viruses has hit the United States at record levels following the holiday season, prompting hospitals across multiple states to reinstate private mask requirements as millions return to work.
A video released recentlyh by the Biden administration has led to speculation that the outbreaks could soon push the federal government to institute mandatory mask usage on federal property.
Take a look —
The White House just released a video of Americans masking back up…
— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) January 2, 2025
“What we are seeing now is an increasing amount of respiratory disease and norovirus that is really all over the US,” said Dr. Joe Bresee, an infectious diseases expert who spent two decades at the CDC. “It is what we see most years and we will probably see increasing amounts over the next few weeks as well.”
Official figures show 3.1 million Americans have contracted flu this season, with 37,000 hospitalizations and 1,500 deaths. COVID-19 has reportedly infected an estimated 2.5 to 4.4 million people since October, while RSV hospitalizations have jumped nearly 40 percent in two weeks.
Wisconsin’s Aurora Health Care system recently announced visitors must wear masks “when in contact with patients or in congregate areas, including patient rooms and other areas designated by signage” starting January 6.
Similar mandates have recently appeared in California, Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey.
Eight states now report “very high” flu levels: Louisiana, Washington, Tennessee, Alabama, California, Idaho, New Mexico, and Mississippi. In Wisconsin, 20% of emergency department visits involve respiratory illnesses.
“For each of these four viruses, we will see increases through January and then they will peak sometime in January or early February,” Bresee said. “But the peaks will be slightly different depending on where you live in the US.”
Hospital systems like HSHS in Wisconsin and Illinois now limit patient visitors to two at a time and ask those with cold or flu symptoms to stay away. New York City has urged residents to consider wearing masks on public transportation as cases continue to rise.
What are your thoughts?
Would you comply with a new federal mask mandate?
— The Horn News (@ReadTheHornNews) January 2, 2025