All Worcester schools mask mandates have been lifted effective immediately by the Board of Public Health.
U.S. BA.2 percentage – last measured 3 days ago – is 11.6%, up from 8.3% a week ago. Biggest driver of BA.2 growth is New England, especially Rhode Island.
The good news is coronavirus cases overall are still declining. Experts do expect a plateau soon and an increase after that.
In the UK cases are increasing again – 28% in one week. Hospital admissions are increasing, too – 16% in one week. BA.2 is the driver. It is now dominant, as it represents more than 50% of new cases. Its growth pattern was similar to ours.
In sum, we’ll probably see a ripple – I am not expecting a wave, but one never knows, given what’s happening in the UK – by the end of this month or early April. I don’t expect that to last long. But, don’t rely on me as my prediction is just an educated guess.
I don’t think March is the time to lift mask mandates. Masks are not a panacea. But they do help, even if they’re only somewhat effective. I know one thing, I will be wearing a K95 throughout my trip to the UK. Not outdoors, but for sure indoors.
As much as I think it’s time to move forward, I still feel doing it too suddenly and too quickly is iffy. I’d prefer to wait until BA2, even if it’s a ripple, passes by. I have worn my mask into all stores but I did venture into one without it just a few days ago finally.
We still have to wear them at my place of work, which will be one of the last to drop the policy. That’s fine. As much as I’d love to be rid of these things, it was never “a problem” to me the way so many people just felt the need to feel like their rights were being taken away like the world was owed to them. Geez, just work together for a while? Not that hard…or so one would think.
Agree, 100%. I really believe we’re close to the end of the pandemic. But, as I’ve said on multiple occasions I think the end (well, endemic phase) will occur in mid spring at some point, certainly not in March and probably not until at least mid April.
It’s still important to protect the vulnerable to the degree we can.
TK, so good to see you over here for a change. Back on February 22nd, I got Pfizer booster #4 so my CDC card is now “filled up.” It seems I’m always the first WHW poster to get a booster.
🙂
Do you and/or your mother plan to get another booster soon?
I don’t think she does at the moment, but I’m open to it. My work offers those, so it would happen there.
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Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
Thanks TK.
All Worcester schools mask mandates have been lifted effective immediately by the Board of Public Health.
U.S. BA.2 percentage – last measured 3 days ago – is 11.6%, up from 8.3% a week ago. Biggest driver of BA.2 growth is New England, especially Rhode Island.
The good news is coronavirus cases overall are still declining. Experts do expect a plateau soon and an increase after that.
In the UK cases are increasing again – 28% in one week. Hospital admissions are increasing, too – 16% in one week. BA.2 is the driver. It is now dominant, as it represents more than 50% of new cases. Its growth pattern was similar to ours.
In sum, we’ll probably see a ripple – I am not expecting a wave, but one never knows, given what’s happening in the UK – by the end of this month or early April. I don’t expect that to last long. But, don’t rely on me as my prediction is just an educated guess.
I don’t think March is the time to lift mask mandates. Masks are not a panacea. But they do help, even if they’re only somewhat effective. I know one thing, I will be wearing a K95 throughout my trip to the UK. Not outdoors, but for sure indoors.
As much as I think it’s time to move forward, I still feel doing it too suddenly and too quickly is iffy. I’d prefer to wait until BA2, even if it’s a ripple, passes by. I have worn my mask into all stores but I did venture into one without it just a few days ago finally.
We still have to wear them at my place of work, which will be one of the last to drop the policy. That’s fine. As much as I’d love to be rid of these things, it was never “a problem” to me the way so many people just felt the need to feel like their rights were being taken away like the world was owed to them. Geez, just work together for a while? Not that hard…or so one would think.
Agree, 100%. I really believe we’re close to the end of the pandemic. But, as I’ve said on multiple occasions I think the end (well, endemic phase) will occur in mid spring at some point, certainly not in March and probably not until at least mid April.
It’s still important to protect the vulnerable to the degree we can.
TK, so good to see you over here for a change. Back on February 22nd, I got Pfizer booster #4 so my CDC card is now “filled up.” It seems I’m always the first WHW poster to get a booster.
🙂
Do you and/or your mother plan to get another booster soon?
I don’t think she does at the moment, but I’m open to it. My work offers those, so it would happen there.