The Oregon Health Authority’s Dr. Paul Cieslak stated that the “permanent” mandate was indefinite and can be repealed at any time by the state.
Oregon’s health authority declared that its mandate for masks would be ‘permanently’ in indoor public spaces. This caused panic.
The state’s Health Authority’s Rules Advisory Committee met with business leaders, faith leaders and stakeholders on Thursday to discuss the worryingly worded draft of the new mandate, which will be released next week.
The extended mandate is being planned by the state in response to rising concern over the Omicron variant and increasing COVID incidences in the country. The extension comes as Oregon removed the outdoor mask mandate.
The mandate is still being supported by the state despite Oregon having a declining number of COVIDs and a population of about 80 percent.
Paul Cieslak was the OHA’s medical director and chief physician for communicable disorders. He quickly clarified that it didn’t mean permanent.
The authority was required to use this terminology as they could not have temporary rules for more than six months. However, the authorities wanted the ability to make it longer if needed.
‘Permanent means indefinite. However, it doesn’t always mean permanent. Dr. Cieslak stated. We can also repeal it but it is only temporary for 180-days. Anything beyond this period, it cannot be extended.
After the winter season, Omicron will be available for further information.
Multnomah County’s health officer Jennifer Vines said that they will be studying the transmission of disease and looking for ways to remove masks, but it’s still a while off.
Oregon residents can comment on the proposed legislation in December. A public hearing will take place in January.
Oregon was one of six states that has not had its outdoor mask mandate removed. Even for those who have been vaccinated.
Oregon is the last US state to impose a mandatory mask for residents who have been vaccinated.
The state lifted its outdoor mandate, but’separate rules for indoor space, schools, and healthcare facilities all remain in effect’.
Some had expressed their personal concerns over the proposed ‘permanent’ mandate online.
I’m an Oregon transplant, originally from Seattle. I adhere to all of the “mask on, mask off” rules. I’ve kept my distance in grocery stores as well as at DMV lines. Also, I am fully vaxxed and boosted. “So is my wife,” tweeted one other person.
But if the government enacts an indoor permanent mask requirement…I’m done wearing masks…EVERYWHERE, AND EVERYWHERE. You can fine or arrest me. If I want to be fined or arrested, I can have lots of assets and plenty of time.
@OregonGovBrown I have lived in Portland for several years, and back then understood what was coming to Oregon. With a questionable government, now that the permanent mask mandate has been implemented it is easy to boycott this state.
Mixed reactions have been generated by the announcement of the permanent mandate.
‘WEAR A F***ING MASK AND GET F***ING VACCINATED OH MY GOD STOP MAKING THIS SO HARD WE WOULDVE BEEN DONE WITH THIS S**T IF IT WASNT FOR YOUR IGNORANT A**ES!One tweeted.
A major concern is also the Omicron variant’s presence in the US. This could lead to a rise in Omicron-related cases or even a lockdown.
Omicron was initially discovered in South Africa, and it has since spread to 16 US states.
However, it isn’t clear if Omicron is more transmittable than other types of the virus, or if current vaccines can protect against the Omicron variant. There is still no way to know how this new variant will impact travel or other activities related to large crowds.
Recently, a Minnesota man tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 after traveling to a New York City anime convention last month.
The man, who has not been identified, reportedly alerted health officials in his home state of the potential spread – which he says affected approximately 15 members The 35 strong friend group.
The Omicron variant of the respiratory virus is believed to have more transmission than other versions. It’s not known if any of his close friends were affected.
As of November, mask mandates still apply for vaccinated people in Oregon as well as Washington, New Mexico, Illinois, Hawaii and DC. Nevada is also required to provide vaccinations for people living in high-transmission counties.
California, Connecticut, New York and Connecticut have mask laws that apply only to unvaccinated people.
Omicron’s arrival comes at a time when hospitals across the state are struggling under an influx of coronavirus patients, mostly traced back to the Delta variant.
Kristalina Georgieva, chief of International Monetary Fund, said Friday that the new variant may also hinder global economic recovery.
She stated that even before this variant was introduced, she had concerns about the speed of recovery.
“An unexpected variant can spread quickly and cause confidence to be shaken.”
Fox News interviewed Surgeon General Vivek Muthy about concerns regarding the fast rate at which the new variant is being developed. But he attempted to soothe fears by emphasizing that there was no need to panic.
‘I do think it’s a reason for us to not necessarily panic but to be more vigilant and to recognize that the precautions that we have been talking about for the last year or so are all the more important now than ever,’ Murthy told host Chris Wallace at Fox News.
‘We do know that the measures that we take to protect ourselves from the spread of COVID — including wearing masks in indoor spaces, being in well-ventilated spaces – those work and will work against omicron,’ he continued.
‘We also know with vaccines, Chris, that even though we’re trying to figure out the exact level of protection our vaccines will give against omicron, in every case we have seen the vaccinated are better off, particularly more protected against hospitalization and death, than the unvaccinated.
‘That’s why we’re urging people to get vaccinated and boosted.’
Murthy claimed that, despite growing concerns about the virus’ spread, they are better prepared now than at the start of its development.
‘I just want to make sure people understand this very clearly: We are not back in March 2020, despite the prospect of a new variant – omicron – on the horizon and despite the fact that we found cases here,’ he said.
“We have more tools and more knowledge than we need to protect ourselves.”
