ABC7 Los Angeles County Likely to Resume Mask Mandate—But Will That Limit COVID Spread Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 09 August 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC7 Los Angeles County Likely to Resume Mask Mandate—But Will That Limit COVID Spread Wearing a mask remains an important way to avoid getting COVID-19 in indoor settings when case rates are high, say Cedars-Sinai experts. Photo by Getty Images. ABC7 recently interviewed Cedars-Sinai hospitalist Nicole J. Van Groningen, MD, about the benefits of wearing a mask as COVID-19 cases continued to climb last month, prompting Los Angeles County public health officials to consider reinstating the mask mandate. Cases rose in late July as the new BA.5 variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 circulated throughout the community. The new, highly transmissible variant even can infect those who have already recovered from COVID-19 in recent months. As L.A. County public health officials warned that a mask mandate might be imminent, Van Groningen told ABC7 that such measures are only effective if people take them seriously. “So, to the question of ‘Do mask mandates work?’ The answer is yes, but with an asterisk. And that asterisk is to the extent that people follow them,” Van Groningen told ABC7. Wearing a mask can block 80% of particles that spread through coughing, sneezing and speaking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Van Groningen told ABC7 that peer-reviewed studies have shown wearing a mask only can prevent the spread of COVID-19 if everyone wears masks. "I view it as it's no skin off my nose, but it's really going to help someone who may be immunocompromised, who is shopping next to me in the grocery store, and who COVID would impact much more significantly," Van Groningen told ABC7. As of July 28, the mask mandate was not set to be reinstated due to a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Click here to read the complete article from ABC7. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release ABC7 Los Angeles County Likely to Resume Mask Mandate—But Will That Limit COVID Spread Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) Newsroom Home Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art