Like it or not mask mandates are coming.
The City of Greensboro announced on Wednesday, Jan. 5 that masks would be required in all city facilities beginning on Monday, Jan. 10.
Since Guilford County lifted its countywide mask mandate last November, the city has “strongly encouraged” that masks be worn in city facilities and city employees were required to wear masks when they were in public portions of city buildings.
However, there for a brief period people were not even required to wear masks at City Council meetings and some councilmembers did not.
It has now been widely reported that single-ply cloth masks like the ones provided by the City of Greensboro are not effective, and at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4, a number of members of the City Council and city employees were wearing more substantial masks.
However, the press release from the city makes no mention of the type of mask that must be worn in city facilities, only that a mask must be worn. So according to the press release a single ply cloth mask that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health officials does little to stop the spread of COVID will suffice.
So the city is not requiring people to wear masks that may actually work in city facilities but is requiring people to wear “face coverings or masks.”
Earlier this week Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke against a countywide mask mandate that would require that masks be worn indoors in all public places such as stores, restaurants, clubs and bars. But she said one of her main concerns was the lack of enforcement. Vaughan said the city did not have the manpower to enforce such a mask mandate and that the county offered no assistance in enforcing the mandate in the City of Greensboro.
There is not such issue with a mask mandate for city facilities, which will be enforced by city employees and security personnel. The city will provide masks at the entrances for people who need them.
In the press release, Interim City Manager Chris Wilson said, “It’s imperative for the City to be vigilant and maintain the focus on public safety. I encourage the continued cooperation and understanding from our employees and the public to do their part to help us get through this pandemic.”
I so appreciate the quality of Hammer’s reporting and how he stays to the facts and avoids the trappings of misinformation. Well written article Mr Hammer! It is why I will always use the Rhino as my favorite source of local news. True and fair reporting.
Just stay always from our bickering in the comments!
It’s fun to bicker. Being Beyond the Bicker becomes Bad Bickering.
Following the science and providing a consistent theme is crucial for a clear message. That has not been the case for the past 2 years, but some of that is justified as new and clearer knowledge of the viral foes emerge. Science is ever-evolving and it is critical to be flexible, yet with a single voice. Scientific leaders in authority (not quasi-scientists with personal opinions) should be that voice. Simple cloth masks and bandannas have never been considered adequate. They merely give the user false security and the user won’t stand out as a denier or resister. The highly transmissable Omicron variant requires a substantial aerosol barrier. A 3-ply mask with an electrostatic barrier such as now readily available US-made KN96 and some N95 masks. Fabric pores aren’t the issue in regard to ultra-microsized viruses. The issue is an effective aerosol barrier to protect the wearer and those in his/her airspace since viruses aren’t floating around alone looking for pores to penetrate. They are adherent/incorporated into micro and macro aerosol droplets. Lets all walk the walk too, Ok?
I’m going to the free country of Flordia until this is all over. I expect it to be over in a short period of time since 99% of the U.S. population will have had the Omicron in a short few weeks with almost no sign of any real sickness any worst than a common cold.
The side effects of the jab are well documented now at https://openvaers.com/ Take some time and read the facts and science from the CDC (Reports from the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) and all the adverse effects of the vaccine. As of today, 30,250 total reported deaths, 192,203 Total Reported Hospitalizations and 1,000,227 COVID Vaccine Adverse Event Reports.
Thank you John for encouraging me to go live somewhere I can breathe for a few weeks. Nancy Vaughan will not get my vote again.
Speaking of Chris Wilson’s comment on “It’s imperative for the City to be vigilant and maintain the focus on public safety.” Does he have any clue to the damage this is causing everyone serious depression, anxiety, fear, and general lack of trust of the elected public officials in our city and county? I so much look forward to a Red Wave in November so we can get some common sense and sanity back in the leadership of our community.
Still pushing the misinformation regarding how VAERS actually works Fred?
Again, the tool takes self reported changes to health post vaccine using a SMS text promote to connect to their website at fixed intervals. For example, you get vaccinated. After a week, you receive a prompt, it asks if you have had any changes in health. It doesn’t ask you to clarify if the change in health is related to vaccine. They use statistics to determine if the change in health is outside normal history patterns for someone in your demographic. And if a particular symptom appears outside statistical parameters, they investigate. For any serious reactions (especially Death) they individually follow-up to determine if their is potential for cause from the vaccine. (This is how they quickly uncovered the J&J risk of blood clots for example).
Simple example. After one week, you report you developed a rash on your back. People get rashes all the time. For example, when changing laundry detergent, or gardening and coming in contact with a poisonous plant. Just because it was reported, doesnt mean it is a result of the vaccine. If they see an unusual spike in people getting a rash, they would investigate. They haven’t so the conclude that the vaccine does not cause rashes.
I am over simplifying. But please look more into the VAERS process so you actually understand the data you are reviewing. Or if you are just picking up articles, make sure they are fairly representing the tool and have both and understanding of the data and how it is sourced as well as the analytical background to study the data.
Best Wishes.
“The city will provide masks at the entrances for people who need them.”
What about those of us who don’t need them (since they aren’t effective anyway)? Or people like myself who have a beard for a face covering? If they don’t like that, maybe I’ll get a Lone Ranger mask. There’s no way to please this bunch of control phreaks!
Safety ? We are 100 police officers short !!! We are worried about a cold ?
Have never worn a mask and never will!! Have not been vaccinated and never will! The adverse reactions to the vaccine are real!! I will not live in fear!! Especially because of a bad cold. I do exercise, eat healthy, and take vitamin D, zinc, and other helpful natural vitamins. Haven’t been sick in 2 years and I go everywhere, including concerts. Natural immunity is what the government should be advocating for but they are in big pharma’s pockets.