Support on streets of L.A. for return of mask mandate, as coronavirus cases rise

Record ID: 1627008

  • Title: Support on streets of L.A. for return of mask mandate, as coronavirus cases rise
  • Date: 16th July 2021
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JULY 16, 2021) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING WITHOUT MASKS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, ENTERING GRAND CENTRAL MARKET VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING AND WALKING WITHOUT MASKS IN GRAND CENTRAL MARKET (SOUNDBITE) (English) MATT HORTON, 41, LIVES IN SOUTH PASADENA, SAYING: "I think it's about public health. I mean, I have two small kids that can't get the vaccine yet, so I want to protect them. And, you know, public health is about, you know, what we can do for the greater good. So, you know, that's, that's why I wear a mask." (SOUNDBITE) (English) CAM LYLES, LIVES IN OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, SAYING: "I feel like it's mandatory right now just because everything's opening back up. And then again, everybody doesn't know how to, you know, control it again, we're not used to being out no more, you know what I'm saying, with a mask on and all that. So I feel like it's good for now until everybody can get back into the groove. And then when we get back and everything get cool then, it'll be straight, yeah." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BAILEY PAKKEBIER, 25, VISITING FROM IOWA, SAYING: "I think it's probably a good thing. You know, it's good to stay safe, keep the kids safe. So that's always good." (SOUNDBITE) (English) CAROLINE (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), 25, VISITING FROM CHICAGO, SAYING: "Everybody should wear masks because it's not that uncomfortable and it keeps everybody safe. And that's perfect. Mask up." TRAFFIC TWO MEN WITHOUT MASKS CROSSING STREET MAN WITH MASK CROSSING STREET MAN WITHOUT MASK WALKING, FOLLOWED BY MAN WITH MASK LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JULY 16, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE RESTAURANT (SOUNDBITE) (English) EARL SISSON, 54, LIVES IN LONG BEACH, SAYING: "Yes, I believe in people wearing a mask, and, yes, I am vaccinated. Until things really get back to normal, gotta do what we got to do to to get things back to normal, you know what I mean? Right now is just, we've got to get this younger generation to start paying more attention and taking it more serious." (SOUNDBITE) (English) CONSTANCE MONTFERRET, 33, LIVES IN LONG BEACH, SAYING: "I actually am comfortable with that, them having to require that again. I feel like, you know, for the most part, a lot of people did get used to wearing masks. And I think it's kind of, you know, the safe thing to do. You know, we're seeing a trend in numbers rising and it's, you know, better to do something now than wait a little too long and everyone end up having to be locked up indoors again." TWO WOMEN WEARING MASKS WALKING PAST RESTAURANT
  • Embargoed: 30th July 2021 21:36
  • Keywords: COVID-19 Los Angeles coronavirus mandate masks
  • Location: LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Health/Medicine,United States
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EM3CYFB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Los Angeles County will reimpose its mask mandate on Saturday (July 17) in the latest sign that public health officials are struggling with an alarming rise in coronavirus cases tied to the highly contagious Delta variant.
    The county, home to 10 million people and the nation's second-largest city, Los Angeles, is one of several jurisdictions to recommend or mandate wearing masks or other pandemic restrictions in recent days as cases rise to worrisome levels in many parts of the United States.
    The mandate will go into effect Saturday night at a minute before midnight.
    The announcement follows six straight days of more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in Los Angeles County, with nearly 400 people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday (July 14), up 275 from the week before. Nine new COVID-19 deaths were reported on Wednesday.
    More than 1,500 new infections were reported on Thursday (July 15), and the county has become a place of "substantial" transmission, based on criteria set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Los Angeles County health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, said in remarks provided to reporters.
    "I think it's kind of, you know, the safe thing to do. You know, we're seeing a trend in numbers rising and it's, you know, better to do something now than wait a little too long and everyone end up having to be locked up indoors again," said Long Beach resident Constance Montferret, 33, a registered dietician.
    Across the country, health officials urged residents who have not yet done so to become vaccinated. Vaccines are approved and available for all people as young as 12 years old. In Los Angeles County, just 0.09% of new cases were among people who had been vaccinated, officials said.
    (Production: Alan Devall, Jane Ross)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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