NYC health officials recommend masks again as COVID-19 cases spike, but no mandates under consideration

New York City health officials announced the city is now on high COVID alert and are urging people to mask up once again while indoors.

News 12 Staff

May 18, 2022, 9:46 AM

Updated 880 days ago

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New York City health officials announced the city is now on high COVID alert and are urging people to mask up once again while indoors.
The city's Health Department says the chances of catching and spreading COVID-19 are up, but the severity of symptoms is much milder with so many people that have already been vaccinated.
City officials are recommending New Yorkers mask up when inside once again if anyone is at crowded events or experiencing symptoms. This is only a recommendation since Mayor Eric Adams has not put any sort of mask mandate back in place. Adams said Wednesday he is not yet considering reinstating a mask mandate in schools.
The FDA announced kids as young as 5 years old could be eligible to get a vaccine booster as early as this week.
The White House COVID-19 Response Team held a briefing Wednesday to discuss what to expect. Dr. Anthony Fauci explained variants will continue to evolve if the virus continues to spread.
As COVID continues to evolve, the response team said it is in the middle stages of developing a new generation of vaccines to fight COVID along with more treatment options. A major concern remains as far as negotiating with Congress for more resources, specifically additional funding.
"We do you not have the resources to do that right now. So, without additional funding from Congress, we will not be able to buy enough vaccines for every American that wants one once this new generation of vaccines come out in the fall and winter," says Dr. Ashish Jha.
Part of the global response Fauci emphasized is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance based on what the COVID risk is in one's area.