Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
The Bay Area Association of Health Officials expressed full support for the California Department of Public Health's strategy to continue the current "face mask" guidance until June 15, when the state will align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) updated guidance.
CDC's updated guidance on masks is based on evidence showing that vaccines are extremely effective in protecting vaccinated people from infection, serious illness, and death, as well as preventing them from transmitting COVID-19 to others.
In a statement, San Mateo County said that increased vaccination in the 12 health jurisdictions belonging to the Partnership helps mitigate the spread of new variants that are more likely to infect those who are not vaccinated.
In that regard, she said these actions help protect people who cannot yet be vaccinated, such as children under 12, as well as people who may not fully benefit from the vaccine, such as people with weakened immune systems.
With nearly half of California's population over the age of 16 fully vaccinated and nearly 65 percent having received at least one dose of vaccine, great progress has been made statewide in vaccinating eligible residents against COVID-19.
However, a large number of residents are still partially or completely unvaccinated, and even more are not eligible to be vaccinated.
The county said June will be critical to ensure that more residents can access vaccines and that businesses and other entities can prepare for the implementation of the CDC's updated masking guide.
Because COVID-19 continues to circulate in the country and abroad, the best way for residents to protect themselves is to get vaccinated.
"Because the vaccine supply had previously been so low, many people did not have the opportunity to get vaccinated," said Curtis Chan, MD, deputy county health officer for San Mateo County.
"There is now enough vaccine for everyone - at county-sponsored clinics, health care providers, national chain pharmacies and other community organizations. Let's help more people and communities get vaccinated before June 15," she said.
San Mateo County reminded everyone that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, free, effective and available to everyone 12 years of age and older.
The local health jurisdictions that joined the declaration were Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma and the City of Berkeley counties.
For California's guidelines on mouthguards, individuals can access the following link: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx.
