Someone is posting Covidiot stickers all over City of Burnaby signage that references COVID-19.
Some of them attack the media (of course) while others say that wearing a mask is the new “tinfoil hat” – a laughable claim.
Just what is it about the mask that really bothers people? It can’t just be about comfort. All this comes as mask mandates are on the verge of changing here and beyond.
In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people in the United States on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.
But don't plan on B.C. adopting a similar policy soon.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in the daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday (May 13) that vaccination rates are increasing across the province but that it is still too early to consider allowing people to stop wearing masks indoors.
While over 50 per cent of eligible adults have received a dose of COVID-19 vaccinate in B.C., Henry noted that "we are not using only immunized percentage, though that's obviously an important piece, both first dose and second dose."
Henry added that health officials are also looking at the trends in transmission across B.C. communities. "I know we spend a lot of time thinking about the day-to-day numbers but really it's how do we look at the numbers over time - what's happening in our communities."
After the May long weekend, health officials will present advice, direction and guidance on several different things British Columbians will be able to do in the future when more people are immunized and transmission rates decrease, Henry explained.
For now, B.C.'s top doctor noted that meeting with people outside is still the safest option.
"I always say that when you're outside, as long as you're not in a large group together, talking closely with people, that masks are optional. And we know that outside versus inside is much much less risky; if there's any breeze at all things disperse rapidly," she said.
But the days of masks are starting to be numbered so the sooner we all get vaccinated the better.
- With additional reporting by Elana Shepert, Glacier Media
