By: Kaira Karmakar
The Past
Two years ago, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a worldwide pandemic. To prevent the transmission of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that the United States wear face masks to supplement basic hygiene and appropriate social distancing. With over one million deaths across the United States on January 4, 2022, New York maintained strict Covid-19 restrictions such as mandatory masks and vaccination proof to enter places such as restaurants.
However, with the receding number of Omicron cases and Covid-19 cases in the United States, mask mandates are rapidly being lifted across the country. Mask usage has become optional in big states such as California, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois, and Connecticut - all states with Democratic governors.
CDC’s Recommendations
The CDC recently suggested that most civilians do not require wearing a mask, resulting in more officials eliminating mask requirements. Around two-thirds of the country’s school districts have also lifted mask mandates. Furthermore, the CDC now suggests masks only to be worn in places with a high risk of Covid-19 transmission even if the person is fully vaccinated.
New York Currently
According to federal data, Covid-19 cases in New York City have dropped 38 percent in the past two weeks, and hospitalizations rates have decreased 46 percent. In addition, about 78 percent of all residents are fully vaccinated.
With the CDC’s advice, Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, ceases the city’s mask mandate in schools and vaccination proof in restaurants, gyms, and movie theaters. Regardless, there are still several locations in the city where masks are required, such as the subway and broadway shows.
Public’s Viewpoint
After signs of declined Covid-19 cases and deaths, even states with the most stringent restrictions have started to lift them. For a large proportion of Americans, this has stirred relief and lifted stress, but has also caused frustration and anxiety.
After the stringent regulations during the peak of the pandemic, many Americans are alleviated by the mask mandates. Furthermore, scientists believe that relaxing restrictions ‘give people hope’ while also motivating them to get vaccinated to prevent catching the virus.
While many Americans are relieved about the loosened restrictions, enabling them to revert to ‘normalcy’, the sudden shift in Covid-19 restrictions has been a source of anxiety for many. Several are scared that lifting mask mandates may increase the Covid-19 hazard to older people and those with weakened immune systems and disabilities.
As a result, many Americans have still decided to wear masks in indoor public facilities because they feel unsafe going unmasked as they are worried about infecting and offending family and friends. Moreover, a few people also feel uncomfortable going to supermarkets as most people would not be wearing masks, forcing them to stay at home.
Global Perspective
Seeing as many states in the United States have lifted Covid-19 restrictions, it is likely that soon, these restrictions will be lifted from other countries around the world as Covid-19 cases drop globally. However, would the lifted mask mandates lead to another Covid-19 outbreak in the US, or would the cases stay under control?
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