CITIZENS NEWS

Several hospitals across the U.S. reinstate MASK MANDATES

By bellecarter // 2025-01-07

• Hospitals in the U.S., such as OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Illinois and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, are reimposing mask requirements due to a surge in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of respiratory illnesses associated with RSV, influenza and COVID-19 are increasing across the country, putting a strain on healthcare resources.
• Several California counties, including San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara, have reinstated mask mandates for healthcare facilities, extending the requirement to visitors and patients in some cases.

Several hospitals across the U.S. are once again requiring masks in response to a surge in respiratory illnesses, a move reminiscent of the government response during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The latest mandate comes from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, where officials announced that all employees, patients and visitors must wear masks due to the prevalence of respiratory viruses in the area. "Starting Tuesday, Dec. 31, all employees, patients and visitors at our hospitals are required to wear masks due to the widespread respiratory illnesses in our communities, including COVID-19, influenza and [respiratory syncytial virus] RSV," said OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in a statement posted on Facebook. The decision to reinstate mask mandates is not unique to Illinois. In Chicago, Rush University Medical Center announced in a statement that as of Dec. 2, patients and visitors are required to wear hospital-approved masks in clinical offices, waiting areas and patient registration. Similarly, RWJ Barnabas Health, the largest hospital system in New Jersey, has mandated that visitors and patients in its facilities "are expected" to wear a face mask, with masking strongly encouraged for staff and visitors in outpatient and medical group facilities. The resurgence of mask mandates is particularly notable given the current context of increasing respiratory illnesses. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of respiratory illnesses associated with RSV, influenza and COVID-19 are on the rise across the country. Emergency department visits for RSV are still high, while flu-related visits are at moderate levels. Additionally, the CDC reported that "coronavirus activity is increasing" in most areas of the country, with high wastewater levels and increasing emergency department visits. The recent resurgence of mask mandates brings back memories of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when similar measures were implemented to curb the spread of the virus. (Related: More and more U.S. hospitals are bringing back mask mandates.) "Widespread respiratory illnesses are putting a strain on our healthcare resources," said Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner. "Requiring masks for healthcare personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu is a necessary step to protect vulnerable patients and prevent further spread." While the mandates are aimed at reducing the spread of these viruses, public health officials emphasize the critical role that vaccines play in preventing severe illness and hospitalizations.

Multiple California counties reinstate mask mandates for healthcare facilities

In California, multiple counties have reinstated mask mandates for healthcare facilities, with some counties extending the requirement to visitors and patients. For instance, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Napa and San Mateo counties have mandated masks for staff, while Santa Clara and San Mateo counties have also required visitors and patients to wear masks. The mandates, which began in November, are set to end on March 31 of this year. "Wear an appropriate face mask. We will offer you a new mask for source control or may ask you to replace your own mask with a hospital-supplied mask," RWJ Barnabas Health advised patients and visitors in a statement. As the respiratory illness surge continues, the future of mask mandates remains uncertain. Public health officials will need to balance the benefits of mask-wearing with the potential impacts on healthcare operations and patient experience. The reinstatement of mask mandates in hospitals across the United States reflects the ongoing challenges posed by multiple respiratory illnesses. As healthcare systems struggle to manage the simultaneous rise of RSV, influenza and COVID-19, these measures are aimed at curbing the spread of these viruses and protecting vulnerable patients. While mask mandates have been a contentious issue in the past, the current situation underscores the importance of taking a precautionary approach to public health, particularly in the face of multiple viral threats. As the respiratory illness surge continues, healthcare systems and public health officials will need to carefully navigate this complex landscape to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients and staff. Pandemic.news has more stories related to public health protocols, including the mask mandate. Watch the video below that talks about the return of mask mandates in America. This video is from The Robert Scott Bell Show channel on Brighteon.com.

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TARGETING TODDLERS: CDC head Mandy Cohen says mask mandates could return for toddlers despite CDC scientists' finding that masks don't work. COVID-19 mask mandates RETURN in U.S. hospitals amid spread of JN.1 variant. Grand jury finds that COVID-19 mask mandates and lockdowns were not effective after all. Emails reveal New York Times mask-promoting activist manipulated and misrepresented the Cochrane Review, which originally found masks useless. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Facebook.com RWJBH.org CDC.gov Health.NY.gov Brighteon.com

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