New CDC guidance drops strong mask recommendations for most areas of the U.S.

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Fri, 2022-02-25 16:19 — mike kraft

New CDC Covid-19 metrics drop strong mask recommendations for most of the country Most people in the United States live in areas where those who are healthy do not need to wear masks indoors, according to new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance -- a sweeping change from what earlier Covid-19 metrics recommended. Elizabeth Cohen and Jacqueline Howard, CNN CNN

(CNN) Most people in the United States live in areas where those who are healthy do not need to wear masks indoors, according to new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance -- a sweeping change from what earlier Covid-19 metrics recommended.

New CDC metrics indicate that about 28% of people in the United States live in a county where they need to wear masks indoors. Previously, CDC pointed to levels of coronavirus transmission within communities as a key metric for restrictions and recommended that people in areas with high or substantial levels of transmission -- about 99% of the population -- should wear masks indoors.

Now, the CDC's "Covid-19 community level" metrics are based on three pieces of data in a community: new Covid-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity and new Covid-19 cases. The CDC's website includes a list of US counties and their current Covid-19 levels.

Under the updated guidance, more than 70% of the US population is in a location with low or medium Covid-19 community levels. For those areas, there is no recommendation for indoor masking unless you are at potential "increased risk" for Covid-19 and if so, the CDC recommends to talk to your health care provider about wearing a mask.

At all levels, the CDC recommends people get vaccinated and boosted, and get tested if they have symptoms.

In areas with "high" levels, the CDC also advises wearing a mask in public indoor settings, including schools. In areas with "medium" levels, the CDC advises talking with your doctor about wearing a mask if you're at increased risk for Covid-19. In areas with "low" Covid-19 community levels, there is no recommendation for mask wearing.

The CDC notes that anyone who wants to wear a mask should continue to do so. ...

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