Should New Jersey Mask Up Again? Take Patch's Survey

NEW JERSEY — As the delta variant spurs a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, federal officials have recommended the use of masks in some public places. But while numbers continue to spike in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said that decision should reflect "local realities."

The CDC is also calling for universal masking in K-12 schools.

According to officials, parts of the state fall under substantial (orange) and high (red) transmission rates, with only one (yellow) transmission in Warren County and no areas of low (blue) transmission.

And while the state is not mandating the use of masks among unvaccinated students, school districts can go beyond what the state is recommending, Murphy said.

"The CDC matters a lot to us," Murphy said. "We largely look to the CDC for a lot of guidance. We always take that into consideration, but you have to take into account the reality of what your state looks like. A national recommendation may or may not be consistent with the facts on the ground."

With a new school year starting this month and state health officials are not recommending that districts follow the CDC's lead, requiring students and staff to wear masks even if they're vaccinated. They are leaving that decision to the individual districts. So Patch is asking readers: What do you think?

Should even vaccinated residents wear masks indoors? Should schools continue to require masks? And does New Jersey need a new mask mandate?

Take Patch's survey below and let us know how you feel. The survey is meant not to be a scientific poll, but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment. The survey will close at noon on Thursday.