AZDHS Agrees to CDC Guidelines for Wearing Masks Indoors and Schools as COVID-19 Rises Again
The Arizona Department of Health agrees with the CDC that anyone indoors or at school should wear a mask whether or not they are vaccinated as COVID-19 numbers start to rise.
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health says masks should be worn indoors by vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, including those at K-12 schools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). made the recommendation on July 27th as COVID-19 numbers rose.
The CDC on Tuesday changed its mask guidelines for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, citing new information about the ability of the Delta variant spread by vaccinated people.
CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the high portability of the Delta variant is behind the agency’s policy change.
“In contrast to the alpha variant that we had in May, where we did not believe that vaccination could transmit further transmission – this is different now with the delta variant. And we see now that infection is possible if you are (vaccinated and) have a rare breakthrough infection that you can pass on, which is why the change is made, “she said.
Arizona DHS and Top Educator agrees with the recommendation
The department says anyone vaccinated and unvaccinated should wear masks indoors with people outside of their household, as per CDC’s new guidelines
“In schools everyone should wear masks regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. This includes students, teachers, staff and visitors, ”said the ministry.
The CDC lists the counties of Maricopa, Pinal, Yavapai, Mohave, Navajo, Apache and Gila with high transmission rates.
Kathy Hoffman, Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, said on Twitter She urges Governor Doug Ducey to “follow the directions of public health professionals and give schools back their local decision-making powers to establish guidelines for safe personal instruction.”
She urges educators, students, and families to practice COVID-19 protocols to keep the community safe.
“Students, teachers and parents are ready to return to face-to-face learning, but it takes us all,” she said.
Governor Doug Ducey says there won’t be a statewide mandate
In response to the CDC’s recommendation, Ducey said in a press release on Tuesday, in part, “Arizona does not allow masking, vaccination, vaccination passes, or discrimination in schools based on who is vaccinated or not. We “I put all of this into law and it’s not going to change.”
He says the pressure to wear masks among those vaccinated is an example of the “inability of the Biden-Harris government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic effectively”.
“Unfortunately, today’s announcement by the CDC will only erode confidence in the vaccine and create more challenges for public health officials – people who have worked tirelessly to increase vaccination rates,” said Ducey.
Recent COVID-19 surge in Arizona
The daily number of new ones COVID-19 Cases and current hospitalizations in Arizona keeps creeping up, according to the latest figures from the state dashboard.
Arizona health officials reported 1,361 newly confirmed cases and two more deaths on July 28.
Hospital admissions for the virus also rose to 973, of which more than a third or 332 were in intensive care units.
Officials also said that people who are not fully vaccinated account for the majority of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths since March.
To date, over 6.7 million doses of vaccine have been administered in Arizona. Over 3.7 million people – 51.7% of the state’s population – have received at least one vaccination and over 3.3 million people are fully vaccinated.
Peoria, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tempe, and Tucson all need masks
Peoria, Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson all require masks in city buildings
There are five cities in Arizona back to the mask requirement in city buildings amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
From August 2nd, anyone who a Phoenix Buildings must wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status. PeoriaThe mandate of comes into force on July 29th. Mandates in Flagpole and Tempe Start July 30th. TucsonThe new mandate began on July 28th.
Reaction to the mask recommendation
Parents and educational associations have mixed reactions to the news.
“I’m a bit scared because there is no mask requirement and most people don’t wear masks in schools,” says Janna Stults, a mother.
The Arizona Education Association also supports the guidelines as there are concerns among teachers about being back in the classroom as the Delta variant is on the rise.
“Educators and schools need all forms of litigation to ensure our students and staff are protected,” said Joe Thomas, association president.
There are those who believe that there should be a choice on this matter.
Jenny Jackson, President of Arizona Stands United, says, “Regardless of the state of emergency, we believe parents should have a say in the medical treatment of the masks their children would wear.”
The Cyrene School District has sent parents a letter stating that masks will be required on school buses and in district vehicles from July 30th.
State law prohibits masking requirements on school grounds, but the district says school buses are covered by a federal ordinance that requires face covering on public transportation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
To protect yourself from possible infection, the CDC recommends:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a normal household cleaning spray or cloth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom. before the meal; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Monitor your health daily
For more informations:
Arizona Department of Health Services
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