New CDC Mask Guidance Expected Today

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to announce new mask guidance for states. The belief is that it will be easing recommendations for indoor mask guidance. With incidence rates going down for weeks now, and people becoming fatigued as it feels never-ending, the federal government may see this as a time to change course.

State governments have already been loosening the reins on mask guidance, offering local municipalities and schools autonomy and the ability to make their decision on mask guidance themselves.

What the Future Holds

On the horizon is what Omicron’s cousin, BA.2, might do. Whereas, it is taking off in countries like Denmark, the US has not seen it become the dominant strain here. Some suspect it is because Omicron took hold with millions of Americans getting infected as well as booster doses helping to increase immunity and stave off BA.2.

The question remains what path the virus will take next? The behavior of COVID-19 is not like other viruses and some question whether it will become endemic in its new phase, but rather it has already morphed into an episodic phase, where new variants pop-up, and case loads can increase anytime.

Hopefully, the new federal guidance will reflect the direction the country has been going towards with an easing of restrictions.