Could mask rules return?

ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. -- New Covid-19 cases are beginning to creep up again in Erie County. Right now, most of the state is in the CDC’s 'medium' level of community Covid risk, with a few counties in the 'high' category of risk.

The CDC recommends everyone that lives in a yellow or medium risk area to wear a mask indoors if they're at high risk of getting especially sick from the virus.

Because of this, Erie County is reminding at-home Covid tests and masks are available to order from the department of health at no cost.

You have to go online and submit an order form, then pick yours up at the specified location.

The health department also has disinfectant wipes available to those that need them.

Hashtag, #BRINGBACKMASKS was trending on Twitter today and with the weather getting cooler and people spending more time indoors, Covid is expected to spread even more.

All masking restrictions have been lifted since this time last year...could they make a return?

FOX Buffalo spoke with a local infectious disease expert who doesn’t anticipate mask mandates, but he says that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear to not wear them at all right now.

Dr. Thomas Russo from UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences says although Erie County has seen a slight uptick in cases the last few weeks, he doesn’t foresee mask mandates making a return.

According to the department of health, over 1500 new cases were recorded for the week ending September 24th.

“Presently, we have neither the social, nor political will to have mask mandates. However, we are in the era of personal responsibility and each individual should assess their own relative risk. If you’re at high risk for disease and you get infected with Covid, measures you should take to protect yourself is both vaccination, boosters if you’re eligible and masks in high risk settings,” he said.

Dr. Russo says mask mandates may be reconsidered if there’s a new variant that impacted the community’s immunity and caused a large hospitalization.

“To be clear, there’s a lot of Covid in Erie County at this time. And if you’re at risk for developing severe infection and if you’re not cautious, particularly in those indoor settings, not wearing a mask when others are not wearing masks, you’re running the risk of getting infected unfortunately,” he said.

Fox Buffalo asked residents if they would wear a mask if mandates returned.

“Absolutely, anything to stay safe,” said resident, Charlotte Weber.

Take sot: mike holmes / resident

“I don’t, I’ve gone ahead and got the shots and everything like that so I feel like I’m taking care of myself,” said resident, Mike Holmes.

The Erie County health commissioner was unavailable for an interview, but the department is encouraging residents to stay up to date on Covid-19 vaccines, including the new booster the protects against omicron.

Dr. Russo also agrees.

“It’s anticipated that we’re going to have an increasing number of cases of both Covid and influenza over the next several months. This is the time to afford maximum protection for yourself and others by getting vaccinated, receive those booster shots that you’re eligible for, which is everyone in this country, 12 and older, that’s two months out from their last booster shot and use masks judiciously if you’re at high risk for severe disease.”

FOX Buffalo reached out to a few large employers in our area: the University of Buffalo and Wegman’s. Both say they’ll monitor Covid levels and adjust guidelines if needed.