Five US hospitals have brought back mask mandates

Mask mandates are making a return to some U.S. hospitals despite how unpalatable such demands have become, with locations in New York, California, and Massachusetts implementing the face-covering mandates.

At least one of the hospitals recognized that "a return to masking may be upsetting for some of our caregivers," while another location wants employees and patients to know that it's for the "the health and safety" of the community and encouraged individuals to get the next vaccine that comes out.

But just as in 2020, they may understand your grievances, but they simply do not care.

New York

Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, New York, brought back its mask mandate just a month after announcing the end of its previous one, Local SYR reported.

This was allegedly in response to COVID-19 variant Eris and applies to patients, staff, and visitors.

Perhaps predictably, your vaccination status is deemed irrelevant: "Face coverings are mandatory inside our facilities, regardless of your immunization status," a statement read. "If you do not arrive with one or yours is deemed inappropriate, a mask will be provided to you. It must be worn at all times and must cover your nose and mouth."

Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, blamed its mask return on an uptick of staff who have COVID-19 along with positive tests from patients.

"Effective immediately, mandatory masking is required by all staff, visitors, and patients in clinical areas of Upstate University Hospital, Upstate Community Hospital, and ambulatory clinical spaces," said a memo obtained by Syracuse.com. "Clinical areas are defined as any location patients gather, wait, transport thorough, or receive care."

United Health Services in Binghamton, New York, also reapplied face coverings, according to the Epoch Times. This happened "because of an uptick in COVID-19 cases," which resulted in a mask mandate for "all clinical areas" as well as "primary and specialty care sites."

California

Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center in California simply cares about your health. That's why the facility has reinstated a mask mandate after an increase in positive tests over a span of three weeks, the Press Democrat reported.

“To ensure that we are helping protect the health and safety of our patients, our workforce and our community, we have reintroduced a mask mandate for physicians, staff, patients, members, and visitors in the hospital and medical offices in the Santa Rosa Service Area,” the company said in a statement.

The organization also encouraged “individuals to get the anticipated COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available in the fall so we can protect against severe illness.”

Massachusetts

UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, said in a statement that "a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 positive employees over the past two weeks" was enough to bring back masks.

"Please know that these changes are not made lightly and we know how that a return to masking may be upsetting for some of our caregivers," the hospital said, according to CBS News.

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