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More Omicron Variants Gain Ground U.S., According to C.D.C. Estimates – The New York Times

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More Omicron Variants Gain Ground U.S., According to C.D.C. Estimates – The New York Times

The Omicron subvariants known as BA.4 and BA.5 now represent 13 percent of new coronavirus cases in the United States, up from 7.5 percent a week ago and 1 percent in early May, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The spread of the subvariants adds more uncertainty to the trajectory of the pandemic in the United States, where current case counts are likely to be a significant underestimate. But whether it leads to a major new wave of infections, or spikes in hospitalizations and deaths, remains unclear, scientists cautioned.

Goats and Soda : NPR

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Will one-way masking protect you from COVID in public spaces? : Goats and Soda : NPR

A federal judge in Florida ruled on Monday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can no longer require masks for all forms of public transportation — planes, trains, buses, subways. Even Uber dropped its mask requirement for passengers and drivers in response to the judge's ruling, although Lyft did not.

In addition, many cities have lifted mask mandates for public spaces as COVID case counts have declined in recent weeks.

Yet omicron variants have been causing COVID cases to rise in some places — a special concern for those more vulnerable to COVID becuase of age or medical conditions as well as people who just don't want to come down with the virus.

So a number of people are "one-way maskers" — the terms used for those who mask up even if others around them do not.

Muzzle wearing today 😷

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Muzzle wearing today 😷

I still wear my muzzle when I’m in close spaces with others, when I’m in the office away from my desk, on the bus, running to the store, and so forth. I don’t wear the muzzle when I’m walking outside or for maybe a quick run into the store, but I don’t see the harm in wearing the muzzle. It’s a habit now, and if it offers some protection, then all the better.

Increasingly I’m a one-way masker — the only person or one of a few people who are wearing a mask in the room. But knowing how much a spit when I talk, and how much a disgusting pig with saliva that I can be, I figure the muzzle is keeping me a bit safer from everything from just the ordinary cold to the COVID. Why not, my masks are pretty comfortable, well broken in and are just normal to wear.

I don’t like being told to wear my muzzle. I don’t like government muzzle mandates, especially now that COVID cases are so low. But often the government tells you don’t have to do something, you should do it anyway, because it’s right for you. Wearing a muzzle makes sense, if can keep you health and avoid problems down the road.