The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its infection control and prevention page to recommend people no longer wear masks in healthcare settings. .“This guidance is applicable to all U.S. settings where healthcare is delivered (including nursing homes and home health),” said the CDC in a statement. .“This guidance is not intended for non-healthcare settings (e.g., restaurants) and not for persons outside of healthcare settings.” .The statement said updates were made to reflect high levels of vaccination and natural immunity and the availability of effective treatments and prevention tools in the US. This guidance provides a framework for healthcare facilities to implement infection and control practices based on individual circumstances. .Employers should be aware other local, territorial, tribal, state, and federal requirements could apply, including those promoted under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. .The statement went on to say high-risk people should continue to wear masks that fit them well. It said healthcare facilities can continue to offer well-fitting masks to visitors, but they should allow for freedom of choice. .Los Angeles County public health director Barbara Ferrer said on Tuesday she would continue to enforce masking in schools despite federal and state recommendations saying otherwise. .“Masks do work,” said Ferrer. .“There’s agreement at the federal level and at the state level and locally that masks are an important tool, particularly when we know somebody who has the capacity to go ahead and spread to somebody else or possibly spread to others.” .This announcement comes after the CDC deleted its recommendation people wear masks to stop the spread of monkeypox in June. .READ MORE: CDC quickly drops monkeypox mask recommendation after huge backlash.The CDC said travellers should wear masks because of the risks of monkeypox. .“Wearing a mask can help protect you from many diseases, including monkeypox,” it said.
