Alameda County health officials are once again requiring people to wear masks in most indoor public settings starting this Friday (June 3) because of increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations.
According to an Alameda County health emergency statement, the daily reported COVID-19 cases have exceeded the peak of last summer’s delta wave and are approaching levels seen during the winter 2020-21 wave.
There are 102 people currently hospitalized in Alameda County according to data from the county Public Health Department. Public health officials said they are monitoring cases and hospitalizations to determine when this order can be lifted safely.
Masks won't be required for K-12 schools through the end of the 2021-22 school year but they will be required in other settings such as childcare, summer school and youth programs.
"Rising COVID cases in Alameda County are now leading to more people being hospitalized and today’s action reflects the seriousness of the moment," Alameda County health officer Dr. Nicholas Moss said in the county's statement. "We cannot ignore the data, and we can’t predict when this wave may end. Putting our masks back on gives us the best opportunity to limit the impact of a prolonged wave on our communities."
The county also said in its statement that reported cases are an underestimate of the total due to home testing and unidentified infections.
Public health officials expect to reach the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "High" COVID-19 Community Level soon, given these current trends.
"While COVID-19 vaccination, boosters, prior infection and available medications provide protection against severe illness, the virus that causes COVID is circulating at very high levels in Alameda County," according to the statement.
Health officials said that wearing a mask protects both the wearer and those around them and having more people masked will help slow infections.
"We thank Alameda County residents, employers, and businesses for continuing to rise to the challenge in response to this pandemic," said Colleen Chawla, director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency. "Unfortunately, COVID has not gone away and once again, we must take measures to protect ourselves, friends and community members, and employees and patrons from this very infectious virus," Chawla added.
Another issue circulating the rise in infection numbers is how it is affecting communities of color given that Hispanic and Latino residents now have the highest case rate in Alameda County among the largest race and ethnicity groups.
County officials said they are aware of how these communities have historically experienced health disparities and are aiming to mitigate COVID-19 disparities where possible.
"We are seeing the same pattern of disproportionate impact on hard hit communities play out again with rising cases," said Kimi Watkins-Tartt, director of Alameda County Health Care Services Agency’s Public Health Department. "Many Black and brown residents are frontline workers who can’t work from home and are in workplaces where they frequently interact with the public. A masking order will limit the spread of COVID in these vulnerable communities."
Comments
Registered user
Foothill High School
on Jun 2, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Oh, heck no! There are 1.7 million people in Alameda County. A hospitalization rate of 102 people comes out to 0.00006 percent of the population. This is yet another overreaction. Figure out who's at risk and give a warning to those people. Let them decide what to do.
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 2, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 3:46 pm
This is insane!! The definition of insanity is expecting different results doing the same thing over and over again. Is this about voting at the polls? Learn to live with this- it’s the flu!!
Registered user
Bridle Creek
on Jun 2, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Only 2 weeks to slow the spread!!
Registered user
Del Prado
on Jun 2, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Dumbest decision ever.
Registered user
Downtown
on Jun 2, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Wearing a mask is about freedom. By wearing a mask, we will have the freedom from disease. Same as sending aid to helpless Ukrainians. They need weapons to gain freedom. Ultimately, I don’t mind the order since I never took my mask off while others dangerously walked around Safeway without wearing a mask. I applaud the decision.
Registered user
Stoneridge
on Jun 2, 2022 at 9:10 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 9:10 pm
Biden2024 - so dangerous! All those people are toast! Have fun sending billions to Ukraine while Americans are homeless in the streets. Have fun masking up forever over omicron!
Registered user
Del Prado
on Jun 2, 2022 at 9:12 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 9:12 pm
Dumbest comment ever
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Jun 2, 2022 at 11:12 pm
Registered user
on Jun 2, 2022 at 11:12 pm
Sorry, no.
Registered user
Stoneridge
on Jun 3, 2022 at 7:41 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 7:41 am
This is totally absurd. I am not going back to wearing a face diaper.
Registered user
Walnut Hills
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:07 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:07 am
Guess what -- Public Health Officials make decisions based on the greater good not what's popular
If your that selfish that you want to risk your own life then stay home the rest of us will take the recommendation of the health officials
And no its not the flu--in recent memory the flu hasn't killed upwards of a million Americans in 36 months
Registered user
Jensen Tract
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:27 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:27 am
The data put out by the Alameda County health dept, is in extreme CONFLICT with a return to mandates. Go to
Web Link
scroll down and see the actual data..Yes, cases are rising, and people are getting ill for a few days..The death rate is essentially zero, and perhaps actually zero, if truth be told, but maybe yes, with those obese, immune-compromised, the elderly? But I know three people over 80 who caught it recently and after a few days, are just fine. But look at the numbers ..NO REASON TO RETURN TO MASKS. Wear one if it make you feel virtuous, but leave the rest of us alone.
Registered user
Bridle Creek
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:42 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:42 am
Dena can manipulate it like the others are being selfish.
Meanwhile young/healthy people are forced to deal with years worth of covid mandates; no healthy society has ever sacrificed the wellbeing and mental health of the young for the old and unhealthy. CDC says the risk of death from influenza is higher for under 18 than covid.
Meanwhile young people are dealing with increases in mental health issues and suicides since March 2020 (isolation, speech development issues from 2 years of masking, anxiety, etc). IF you're afraid or sickly - stay home. The rest of us will live our lives!
PS: you must not trust your triple jab very much if you still want mandates and masks ;)
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:44 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 9:44 am
There is no mention if these 102 patients are vaccinated, or reached out for treatment when they first started feeling symptoms.
Now that we have vaccines and a treatment if you catch it, mask wearing should be left up to the individual.
Alameda County health officials should offer free quality masks upon request, to better serve the public.
The Bay Area consist of many counties that interact on a daily basis, and we are going to be the only County with face requirements!
Registered user
another community
on Jun 3, 2022 at 10:35 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 10:35 am
I guess all those crazy health officials are bored and want to take away our freedoms, Here we go again with more insanity of masks and installing fear among the sheep so they can have support for stupidity. Maybe we will elect people who have common sense and not people who are literally sheep leading sheep one day. Be a lion not a sheep.
Registered user
Vineyard Hills
on Jun 3, 2022 at 11:09 am
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 11:09 am
Nope, not doing this again. Hospitals have space, symptoms are mild for those who have it, and those who have concerns can wear a mask if they want. Alameda County Health has lost all credibility at this point. The focus needs to be on our kid's mental health and getting people back to regular health screenings etc which have been neglected over the past two years.
Registered user
Pleasanton Valley
on Jun 3, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Registered user
on Jun 3, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Election coming up. With this nonsense I will not be voting for any incumbents in Alameda County.
Registered user
Vineyard Avenue
on Jun 4, 2022 at 7:16 am
Registered user
on Jun 4, 2022 at 7:16 am
Wow, I can’t believe I’m going to join in on this conversation.
But yeah, this is an overreaction. Case rates are actually dropping again, and the hospitalization rate is pretty low.
Yes, there is another increase. Yes, masking helps—especially for vulnerable populations who don’t get hr full benefit of this vaccine, or most vaccines really. And I almost always wear a mask, being vulnerable myself.
But there’s a reason no other county isn’t following this. And I bet this will be dropped soon. I don’t actually think this will even be followed my more than 1/3rd the people and I doubt there will be much enforcement.
BTW not voting for the incumbents won’t change this. But it is worth speaking out about this.
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 4, 2022 at 9:04 am
Registered user
on Jun 4, 2022 at 9:04 am
Dena
You stay home. Masks have already been shown to not protect you. If you still believe in the paper napkin, then in your mind your safe. Stop with the talking points of ‘selfish,’ we won’t be manipulated by people like you or your government. I’m sure you have taken your 16 shots of the experimental gene therapy. You’re good to go.
Registered user
Walnut Hills
on Jun 4, 2022 at 10:48 am
Registered user
on Jun 4, 2022 at 10:48 am
"Masks have already been shown to not protect you"
This statement is simply not true; just because people spout nonsense over and over again doesn't make it true. You are being asked to mask up to protect yourself and others. Small children, the elderly, the immune compromised... you are choosing to ignore public health officials guidelines
How is this not selfish on your part?? My gawd its just a mask; your being asked to considered others well being above your own
"Manipulated??" These are public health guidelines; I'm totally fine with people risking their own lives its your choice but come on step up for others who are at risk
Registered user
Pleasanton Valley
on Jun 4, 2022 at 11:18 am
Registered user
on Jun 4, 2022 at 11:18 am
I was in a store yesterday and overheard the store manager talking to his / her team members and explaining how they had to mask up. At the same time a vendor came in and did not have a mask on. One of the employees questioned the vendor and his / her response was “I am not putting on the (you know what) mask on. Now do you want your delivery or not?”. The employee then asked the store manager “What are you going to do about this? This is a double standard!”. The manager’s answer was “We are not the police now please get back to work.”
It made me think that sometimes its not necessarily about wearing a mask or not as it is about consistency across the board. As I was watching this unfold I was wondering why schools did not have to mask up yesterday. Especially when SOME NOT ALL - (again a very small amount) still send their precious children to school sick. Sometimes the inconsistency just rubs people the wrong way.
This is just a topic that unfortunately people on both sides have strong feelings about. Hopefully this is all over soon enough because I’m not sure how much more society can take. And this is just about masks anyone want to talk about gun control and all the recent shootings?
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 4, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Registered user
on Jun 4, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Dena "This statement is simply not true; just because people spout nonsense over and over again doesn't make it true." Does this apply to Biden, Harris and Fauci. "Just saying" OJ Simpson.
Registered user
Walnut Hills
on Jun 5, 2022 at 9:48 am
Registered user
on Jun 5, 2022 at 9:48 am
But but but but ....
Yes it applies to everyone; be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. If you claim to know more than the public health officials I can't help you. Your being asked to step up to help your fellow Americans.
Can you rise to the occasion or just whine about it?
Registered user
Jensen Tract
on Jun 5, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Registered user
on Jun 5, 2022 at 3:45 pm
How about this as a solution for my fellow Pleasanton residents..Drive up to San Ramon or elsewhere in Contra Costa county, for shopping..Contra Costa health dept still recommends masking in indoor spaces, but doesn't MANDATE them. They follow the science that says BS on those cloth masks which may be as little as 5% effective. (N-95 effective to a greater extent, but Alameda county doesn't require them, just the useless one.) Yes, a few dollars in gas, maybe, but small cost to avoid all the stupidity of Alameda county
Registered user
Del Prado
on Jun 5, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Registered user
on Jun 5, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Complaining about this isn't whining, it is voicing our concern. Writing emails, phone calls, etc also help, I've done both. Actually after this decision, health officials may be more educated, but I'd say I AM smarter than them.
And Dena, labeling me as part of the problem cause I speak out against this or refuse to wear one, is the real problem with all this...
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 5, 2022 at 9:09 pm
Registered user
on Jun 5, 2022 at 9:09 pm
Dena
You need to up your reading and research. It is lazy to think you get all your direction and answers from the CDC, Fauci, and mainstream media. Let’s face it, you are a grey because you got played. I knew something was wrong back in April 2020 and I began my research in depth. And here I am today much better for it.
Registered user
Vintage Hills
on Jun 6, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2022 at 1:59 pm
A lot of good comments here and interesting perspectives.
Too bad one commenter needs to say things like "experimental gene therapy" or "my research in depth", when anyone who has done real scientific research and isn't a charlatan would realize that none of the vaccines or treatments are in any way "gene therapy".
By the way, if you're holding out for some reason because you didn't want to get an mRNA or viral vector vaccination for covid-19, Novavax will likely soon have an authorized a protein subunit vaccine for covid-19 later this month. It is a more traditional type of vaccine that has been used for decades.
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 6, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2022 at 4:56 pm
I agree with Gavin Newsom. We do look like a 3rd world country.
Registered user
Birdland
on Jun 6, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Good to see BobB is back. Remember, where a mask, wash your hands and socially distance or WAMWYHSD. All will be well according to flip flop fauci.
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on Jun 9, 2022 at 7:47 pm
Registered user
on Jun 9, 2022 at 7:47 pm
This is why gov is set up the way it is. Look how centric minded 1 county is. 1 county is requiring this and anyone not in agreement is a “selfish / closed minded / etc”.
We need critical thinking and balanced decision making. Extreme politics is ruining the country, but we celebrate how many “voters turn out” because of the polarizing positions. We need centralist politicians working for the people not twitter-stars trying to one up a witty quip.
Registered user
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jun 10, 2022 at 7:10 am
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2022 at 7:10 am
We do NOT need a MANDATE..See this link from our own health department,which issued the mandate,for some reason, goodness knows why (political?)
Web Link
Registered user
Pleasanton Valley
on Jun 10, 2022 at 9:42 am
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2022 at 9:42 am
The SF Chronicle had a great article yesterday entitled: Alameda County's indoor mask mandate makes no sense. We are the only county in the entire country with such a mandate. Our county hit the panic button over a non-emergency. They look like fools.
Registered user
Downtown
on Jun 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
they don't look like fools...they are fools...