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Many communities are finding they are in the clear to ditch masks indoors. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has three determining factors to mask lift: hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and total number of new cases within a community. If the area in which you reside is deemed low or medium risk, then you may follow the new CDC guidelines and be mask-less indoors. Numerous Michiganders are skeptical of these new guidelines. It is now a personal choice for those to wear a mask, unless in a high-risk area or an immunocompromise person. There are ways to remain safe and healthy.

To figure evolving Covid-19 protocols and ways to remain ready, the Telegram Newspaper spoke with 30-year veteran Dr. Lonnie Joe. He is an African American doctor in Southfield, Michigan, hosts Primary Care with Dr. Lonnie Joe on YouTube and is a graduate of University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Joes admits, “We were kind of expecting this. I guess the question is how soon and under what circumstances, and more importantly, what does the numbers look like in terms of infection rates, hospitalization and of course deaths before we actually do that.”

Under the CDC advisory guideline, wearing a mask is based on personal preference; informed by your personal level of risk. It states, those in low-level counties can be maskless, talk to your health provider in medium-level counties and wear a well-fitting mask in public indoors in high-level counties. The CDC provides an up-to-date list of counties levels as they may change. It is imperative the mask fit well to protect when you plan to wear one.

With so many components mixed with social pressure of COVID-19, somebody, somewhere is producing an idea that says on this date, or in this month looking at all those variables that this is the time to start lifting the mask. “I think it’s a little too soon,” states Dr. Joe, “From a medical standpoint of view, I think it’s a little too soon looking at what’s happening in the adult and pediatric population, but here again it eventually had to come. It’s here and I think that people are going to be happy.” On a Facebook discussion a couple of people were happy saying, “I’m not wearing them” and “I don’t wear them, I don’t need them, I don’t like them and I’m glad they’re gone.” Plenty of different users are proceeding with caution. “I’m going to keep wearing mine,” was the common response.

One Michigander states, “I don’t wear them a whole lot but if the crowds are big, I will.” Large crowds being most concerns, some prefer on the setting to mask. Much like the CDC’s advice, Dr. Joe emphasize that those with immunocompromise health should wear a mask. “You don’t need to unnecessarily take chances.” he says, “I also hope that people in certain circumstances take the precautions that they need to be safe.” Businesses only suggest that you wear a mask, and many do not require them at all. Owner of SuitsShoppe, Darryl Hunter, still encourages his customers to wear a mask and the sign upon his window still stands; “No Mask, No Service”. Keep in mind your own health status.

Dr. Joe expresses, “This disease disproportionally affects Black people and Brown people. We know that that is a problem. We have high blood pressure and long standing, DIABETES. Those two diseases stats alone put you at high risk to have a different response to a virus like COVID-19.” Dr. Joe points out an essential need for Black and Brown people about this disproportion. “Being aware of your health is so important when battling diseases and being aware of your setting.

DR. LONNIE JOE - Internist, Primary Care Doctor

Along with the mask wearing, handwashing, thorough cleaning and medicine has played a huge role in decreasing coronavirus. “Right now, we know we’re right about the COVID-19 vaccine because we’ve proven that we reduced illness, reduced hospitalization and we reduced deaths,” says Dr. Joe,“ Things like whether or not we lift mask mandate will have an effect on this.” To move forward out of the pandemic there are many questions still to answer. “Are we going to have this thing under control by December of this year, it takes off in the colder months. I mean next winter will we see another surge, will we see a mutation of this virus because that is what a virus does. It’s going to change. Will we have another variant?” Currently the vaccine is the best armor. Outside of healthy eating, exercising, and boosting ones immune system there are not alternatives. Cases are down and it seems there is control over the coronavirus. The government and businesses have dropped the mask mandate, but you have to decide for yourself when is the best scenario to wear or not wear a mask. The Center for Disease Control has and keeps an up to date county list as circumstances can change.