Milwaukee recommends face masks for all indoors regardless of vaccination – WISN Milwaukee

The city of Milwaukee Health Department is recommending everyone wear face masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe new guidance was released Thursday afternoon.The decision was made with support from the mayor’s office, city of Milwaukee Public Health and Safety Committee Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic and the Board of Health.The leaders said the recommendation was made in accordance with the guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday.In a news release, officials said the delta variant in Milwaukee was causing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases.”In the past month, the burden rate has gone from the ‘low transmission’ category into the ‘substantial transmission’ category, and the CDC’s updated masking recommendations are for those in areas of substantial or high transmission,” the release said.The Health Department said it strongly advises everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask when indoors with people outside of their household. “Breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but possible for those who are fully vaccinated,” the release said. “While the vaccine effectively protects individuals from severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death, preliminary evidence shows fully vaccinated people who become infected can still spread the virus to others.””We are calling on our community to step up and mask up to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe,” Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said. “The most effective way to combat this surge in positive cases is through vaccination, but until vaccination rates improve, we must be willing to take simple steps such as wearing a mask to protect our community and the most vulnerable.”In addition to masking, the Milwaukee Health Department strongly advised anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who experiences symptoms or has come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, get tested and quarantine until a negative COVID-19 test is received. Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Barrett told WISN 12 News the city may be considering a vaccine mandate for the approximately 7,000 city employees.”The vaccinations are something that we are in active conversations with our health department and our Department of Employee Relations,” Barrett said. “As we look at these numbers, and I don’t like that they are trending in the wrong direction, there is a possibility that we will take more action.””And that action might include a vaccination mandate for city employees?” WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott asked.”It would be a vaccination mandate or a requirement, obviously, of weekly testing and making sure that people are masked at all times then,” Barrett said.Barrett said they don’t know how many city employees have been vaccinated, but the Health Department is trying to determine that number. More information on free testing locations and hours can be found at milwaukee.gov/COVIDtesting.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube