With 'high' level of COVID, masks encouraged

Hancock Public Health is encouraging residents to wear masks in all indoor spaces and crowded situations, regardless of vaccination status. The recommendation comes along with the county reaching a "high" level of COVID-19 transmission last week, as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hancock County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi, in an email to The Courier, said Hancock Public Health "is currently recommending the use of masks in all indoor spaces and any crowded situations, regardless of vaccination status." Baroudi noted that this aligns with guidelines from the CDC for communities with "high" COVID-19 levels, based on cases, hospital bed use and hospital admissions. "We do know that wearing a face cover will reduce both your risk of contracting the virus and the risk of spreading it to others," Baroudi wrote. "We also know that additional precautionary measures, such as distancing and opting for well-ventilated spaces, will further reduce COVID risks." He added that mask guidance has changed over time, having been more urgently recommended or even required earlier. "Now, with Omicron and its milder subvariant BA.5 becoming dominant, adding the availability of therapeutics, and effective vaccines," he encouraged "individuals and families to assess their risk and decide on wearing a face cover as they feel the need to do so. However, I do not foresee the need for a mask mandate to the general population." Baroudi said that the "landscape" of how we approach COVID-19 has changed, and masks are now just one of many tools available. But, in a Thursday interview with The Courier, he said he does think people will heed the mask recommendation. "I've seen more and more people wearing masks this past week, which is good," he said. 50 North The 50 North Heminger Center is now requiring masks again for seniors coming to its programs. Executive Director Carolyn Copus said the change is because the county has gone to the "high" level. "We serve the population that is most vulnerable to this virus and its variants," she noted in an email. On Friday, the nonprofit communicated the new requirement with flyers, emails and on its website. The mask requirement went back into effect on Monday. Baroudi said the health department has been getting calls throughout the pandemic from businesses and organizations wanting guidance on how to set policies like these. Since Friday's announcement of reaching the "high" level of COVID-19, there haven't been many more calls, but "people are wondering" what other recommendations Hancock Public Health might have. In addition to offering guidance on masks, Baroudi also encouraged citizens to stay up-to-date on their vaccines, and to stay home and get tested if symptomatic. And he encouraged the public to keep up with CDC and state and local guidance. Hancock Public Health updates its report every Friday.