Tuesday this week Governor Sisolak implemented Emergency Directive 045 that he signed on May 3, which says the state will follow the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance related to mask requirements. He then issued Directive 047 to provide a grace period for 12 of Nevada’s 17 counties that will be expected to implement the mask guidance by 12:01 on Friday morning.
Churchill County has been deemed as having “substantial or high transmission” with 21 active cases of COVID-19 over the past 14 days. On Wednesday the positivity rate in Churchill County was 12.4% and today it is 8.5%. The positivity rate is the number of positive cases divided by the number of tests given on any given day and is calculated by the state as one of the metrics that flags a county for implementation of the mask requirements. Counties are flagged at risk for a high level of spread if when the positivity rate exceeds 4.8%.
Shannon Ernst explained at the monthly Board of Health meeting that was held today, one of the challenges for Churchill County is that some of the local agencies reporting data only report their positive cases and do not report the number of tests given. Currently, there are six active cases at the Fallon Paiute tribe and three active cases at NAS Fallon.
During the meeting, County Manager Jim Barbee clarified that even though the county has been flagged by the state, the current situation of one or two positives per day is completely different than last November when there were 75 positives each day. Complicating matters further for meeting the positivity rate are the rules that prevent anyone from testing who has been vaccinated or who has previously had COVID. “The positivity rate was lower in November because we were testing 1,000 per day,” he said. “We don’t see anything that gives great alarm or is significantly out of normal.”
The Directive 047 that Sisolak issued Tuesday says, “businesses and residents in counties with substantial or high transmission are strongly urged to adopt the changes as soon as possible.” While Churchill currently meets the “substantial or high transmission” that could change day to day.
The CDC mask information effective June 29, 2021, says that people who are not vaccinated “should” wear masks indoors in public places. Masks are not required when people are outdoors, but they are required on planes, buses, public transportation, and transportation hubs such as stations and airports. Additionally, the CDC says that before a person puts on a mask they should wash their hands thoroughly, do not touch their face while wearing the mask, and when they remove the mask, they should only touch the earpieces, folding the mask with the outside corners touching to keep the inside of the mask inside. “Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing,” says the CDC website information.
The CDC guidance also includes a recommendation for universal masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Dr. Summer Stephens, Superintendent of Churchill County School district said at the Board of Health meeting that she has been meeting with several superintendents and regional health officials who were all surprised by the directive that came out Tuesday. “The district is using the language from Directive 045, our counsel, and our interpretation is that vaccinated people and children under nine do not have to wear masks in school and it was recommended for anyone who is non-vaccinated… at this time is still what our statement says. All of you who have read the CDC guidelines, it still does not say ‘required’ it says that it should be done.” So far there the district is not making changes to its reopening plan. “At this time, we are following our current plan which could change but we first and foremost want to make sure we have kids in school, and number two we want to make sure everyone is safe.”
The information provided by Sisolak Tuesday says that individuals who are not exempted “shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or face covering in a manner consistent with current guidance issued by the CDC. The CDC guidelines say “should” mask. Sisolak’s exemptions to masking include anyone under nine years old, the homeless, anyone who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition or disability, anyone to whom wearing a mask at work poses a risk, anyone receiving a service that includes the nose and mouth, anyone seated in a food and beverage establishment, those who are outdoor recreating or working, or those who are incarcerated.
Despite their frustrations with the data collection and the way the state uses the data to implement mask recommendations, County officials are urging people to get the COVID vaccine. With 32.8% of the county residents over the age of 12 currently vaccinated, Board of Health Chairman, Dr. Tedd McDonald said, “We are looking at a potential risk, and that leaves us potentially vulnerable.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” said Barbee, “the frustrating part of these mandates is it hardens the political ideology that deters people. Anytime you force, the response is to resist and in managing this it has compounded the difficulties.
The county offers free vaccines that can be scheduled by calling 775-423-6695 option 2. There is also an incentive program where vaccinated residents of Churchill County can receive cash prizes at the Cantaloupe Festival by entering their vaccination record at [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. on August 28.
Additionally, any resident who has not had COVID nor received the vaccine would be helping the county positivity rate by being tested. That testing information can also be located by calling the above number or checking the county website.
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