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For the first time on Tuesday, Los Angeles County’s top public health official has long publicly considered the possibility of lifting the region’s mask mandate, at least in part.
“With lower transmission and with more people vaccinated, we hope to be able to lift the mandate of the mask in settings where there is a large gathering and we know people are vaccinated,” said the director of public health of the County, Barbara Ferrer, at a board meeting. Supervisors meeting. She quickly qualified that statement by saying that she assumes the Covid numbers continue to drop and that there is no new, more potent variant of the virus.
“When we introduced the mask warrant in June,” she continued, “it was related to a higher rate of transmission.” Logically, Ferrer said, a corresponding cut in rates should prompt consideration of the lifting of that mandate. “I see that with lower transmission and more people vaccinated, we’re going to be in a different space.”
Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose 2nd Borough stretches from Culver City to Compton, went on to note that infection rates “have not increased evenly.”
Ferrer agreed. “You’re absolutely right, that’s an average,” she explained of the 7-day average infection rate. “And this is because there are so many tests going on in our schools,” where there is less infection, in general.
“We have pockets where transmission is always a problem,” Ferrer continued. “These pockets are located in communities where vaccination rates are lower. “
In light of this, and given the county’s experience with the winter 2020 surge, she said, “We need to stay very focused on getting their doses for the unvaccinated people.”
Ferrer gave no indication of a timeline for lifting the county public health official’s order requiring masks at theaters, major events and restaurants.
She said, however, “As Halloween and Thanksgiving approaches and the holiday season approaches, we’re hoping to be able to plan some gatherings and maybe even travel. “
Los Angeles County on Tuesday reported 964 new cases, 35 new deaths linked to Covid. The county’s daily report noted that this week the number of infected patients in hospitals fell below 800 for the first time in months.
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