Alameda County indoor masking requirement could be lifted this week

ALCO Democratic Party 'admonishes' Swalwell, other Dems who endorsed Ahern; Supervisor Carson criticizes 'Honest Abe' and Hamilton

Alameda County Public Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss donning a mask at a Board of Supervisors meeting earlier this year.

COUNTY NEWS

—COVID UPDATE—In order to lift Alameda County’s indoor masking requirement, a number of data points must be met, including sustained declines in Covid-19 case rates for more than seven days, in addition, to a reduction in case rates for disadvantaged minority groups and neighborhoods.

—“It is possible we could see all these factors in place this week,” said Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda County’s public health officer. Even if the indoor masking requirement is lifted in Alameda County, Moss recommends continued masking. “Covid risks will remain even if this county masking requirement is lifted.” Alameda County reinstituted its indoor masking protocols on June 3.

—A number of public speakers at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, however, said there is no correlation between masking and lower rates of Covid-19 infections. One speaker, conversely, maintained masks cause infections.

—A spring surge of Covid-19 infections appears to be leveling off, Moss to Alameda County supervisors on Tuesday. Hospitalizations peaked at 133 cases on June 13, and have decreased or stabilized. “We’re not seeing the sustained increase we were seeing up to June 13,” Moss said. Wastewater monitoring of Covid-19 from the East Bay Municipal Utilities District also appear to be plateauing, he added.

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• Supervisor Carson throws shade on Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton.

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