By Carol Tannenhauser
“It’s like déjà vu all over again,” as Yogi Berra said.
On Friday, December 9, New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, issued a Health Advisory urging all New Yorkers to mask up when indoors or in crowded outdoor settings, because of “unusually high concurrent spikes” in the city of three respiratory viruses: COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, and Influenza, or the flu.
Dr, Vasan said “high-quality masks” are particularly important for people who are – or will be with – those who are at increased risk for complications from the viruses, including people who are 65 and older, children under two, and people who are immunocompromised.
“The holiday season is about togetherness and there is a way to gather safely – even as respiratory viruses in our city are unusually high,” said Dr. Vasan. “It starts with protecting yourself. Vaccination and boosters are critical but so are common-sense precautions like masking when indoors or among crowds and staying home if you don’t feel well. Also, get tested before getting together, and get treated quickly if you test positive. We want everyone to have a happy and – most of all – healthy holiday.”
It’s outright scary how little attention the public health officials pay to other measures, like decent air filtration and fresh air into indoor locations.
I think my covid came from my gym..No one wearing a mask including me..The gym not interested in resuming a mask ‘mandate’..We are on our own folks ..MASK UP🎈
My son’s school no longer requires masks but doesn’t do anything about air filtration. Even at the gym kids are exercising without air, coughing and sweaty. Ridiculous.
Of course mask up! It is not just about yourself but protecting others, especially the vulnerable. You don’t know if you are sick at times and are shedding virus.
Thank you WSR – for the note, and the summary! Much easier to send your piece than the full advisory. Crowded subway cars these days have maybe half a dozen masked faces. Lotta opportunity for spread – of everything. A good time to think about how to be careful, if you want to be, for yourself or forloved ones.
Where is the snooze button….
Wake up! Get your boosterVaccination..Save somebody else’s life..WEAR A MASK
No thanks! I haven’t worn a mask since 2020. Not going to start that now. As our president recently declared, the pandemic is over! Merry Christmas to all.
You won’t be enjoying Christmas much if Gramma has COVID, the little one has RSV, or you have the flu, but I guess you can try…
I’m with James…the pandemic is over. And BTW, the little paper masks worn by most people do not prevent anything (except maybe the wearer’s breathing normally). Practicing basic hygiene measures are much more effective. If you’re going to play the “what if” game you might as well stay home and never go out.
No, good-quality surgical masks are substantially less effective than N95s but significantly more effective than nothing in preventing the transmission of respiratory virus. Like COVID. Masking *is* basic hygiene, and, let’s face it, you’re not washing your hands that often, either.
I’m glad you feel the pandemic is over, but, um, you do understand that your feelings don’t actually shape reality, right?
Good to know that a presidential declaration is the same thing as fact, Michael. Really? Have we learned nothing?
Not everyone celebrates Xmas. Do you live in NYC? At the very least wash you hands, don’t pick your nose or cough in your hand then touch a door handle or cart. And was your hands after you go to the bathroom. Use common sense and care about people other than yourself.
Ha ha ha ha 😂
In an abundance of caution masking up is just another layer of precaution. The third wave is coming. Be careful, isolate and stay well. See everyone in July.
I understand your point about isolating, but I don’t agree. We should isolate until July? How many more waves will there be? I don’t relish spending the rest of my life isolating every fall/winter/spring.
Or are you being ironical?
I get that many people are fearful of catching a virus. Certainly elderly and certain other people with health issues are vulnerable to severe illness and even death from viruses and infectious organisms that might cause little or no symptoms in a younger person. This is not going to change – it has been true for all time. Yet prior to 2020 barely anyone in the USA even considered wearing a mask outside of a hospital or construction site; regardless of how vulnerable, old or infirm their companions were.
We might stop to consider why. There are significant downsides to covering our faces. When someone is wearing a mask, we cannot see their smile or other expressions. We do not connect with them in the same way. The eyes alone are not enough to show feeling. The sight of a smiling, grandchild, face lit up with love for say, a grandparent, and the grandparent’s returned smile of adoration for the grandchild has enormous positive effect on physical and mental well being for both. This is just one example.
I am surprised that in articles stating that people should wear masks at family gatherings; that no mention is ever made of what is therefore sacrificed. Health advice should take into account best possible quality of life. Why are there no suggestions to mitigate what is lost when loved ones wear masks around each other?