Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recommended indoor mask-wearing on Monday for fully vaccinated residents engaged in jobs that require “significant public exposure.”
Beshear, alongside Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, urged those who haven’t received either of the shots to don face coverings indoors when outside of their homes, the pair announced. The two authorities also implored people “at higher risk from COVID-19 due to pre-existing conditions” to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, citing concerns of the delta coronavirus strain.
“We have the most aggressive variant that we have seen to date in our battle against COVID. It’s a serious, even deadly, threat to unvaccinated Kentuckians,” the governor said in a statement. “If more adults don’t get vaccinated, it’s not just adults who pay the price. It’s our kids who will. Many of them can’t get vaccinated yet, and they count on us to make good decisions and do the right thing.”
LA COUNTY REIMPOSES INDOOR MASK MANDATE WITHOUT REGARD FOR VACCINES
“All unvaccinated Kentuckians, when eligible, should be vaccinated immediately,” the two added.
Kentucky ended its statewide mask mandate in June after the governor made the call to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated individuals in May following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that said face coverings were not necessary in most circumstances for those who have received both shots. Exceptions were made for schools, care facilities, and public transportation.
Last month, the state also did away with capacity restrictions.
“After a long, dark pandemic, more of our people have gotten their shot of hope, and we have steadily moved to lift the last remaining restrictions put in place to slow the spread of this dangerous virus and save lives,” Beshear said at the time. “Team Kentucky: your patience, hard work and sacrifices have paid off. For those not vaccinated: you still have time.”
Kentucky has seen a 281% uptick in positive cases over the last two weeks, with a 53% increase in hospitalizations and a 62% jump in deaths. A total of 45% of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while 51% have received at least one dose.
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The recommendation follows a move by Los Angeles County, which reimposed its indoor mask mandate last week, regardless of vaccination status, in response to a jump in positivity numbers.
“Masking indoors must again become a normal practice by all, regardless of vaccination status, so they can stop the trends and level of transmission we’re currently seeing,” LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said.
