Masks Recommended For Everyone In Indoor Spaces: PHMDC

MADISON, WI— Madison is masking up again.

Public Health Madison and Dane County put out a recommendation Tuesday encouraging people to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The decision from the County’s public health organization comes after the CDC recently recommended that vaccinated people in high transmission areas wear masks indoors again due to an increase in cases from the Delta variant.

Dane County is considered a moderate community regarding transmission level. And, while the CDC set the mask recommendation threshold at a substantial level, PHMDC wants to slow the upward trend of cases to “stay ahead of the curve,” Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County said.

“The Delta variant is spreading quickly in our community, causing an increase in cases in Dane County,” Heinrich said. “This is why we are strongly advising that everyone ages 2 and older, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask in indoor public spaces, and at indoor private gatherings.”

The advisement is a recommendation and not legally enforceable.

One month ago, Dane County had a seven-day average of 7.6 cases. Now, with the emergence of the Delta variant, that average is up to 31.4 even with 70% of the County at least partially vaccinated.

All three COVID-19 vaccines protect individuals against the Delta variant. However, based on preliminary data the CDC believes even fully vaccinated individuals can become infected with the variant and spread it to others.

Those unvaccinated are at a higher risk of catching the variant and being hospitalized.

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