ATLANTA — For the first time in months, Georgia is now at moderate spread for COVID-19. That news comes just one day after the city of Atlanta dropped their mask mandate.
Some worry if people let down their guard, we could see another spike after the holidays.
Georgia State University epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek said we’re not out of the woods yet.
“As soon as it looks like we’ve come down, you know, from these high case numbers, this is the worst possible time to sort of let up on mitigation strategies, and we need to continue to promote vaccinations,” Drenzek said. “Vaccination is key.”
Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms somewhat reluctantly lifted the city’s indoor mask mandate Monday night.
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In a tweet, she said, “While it makes me personally anxious, I’ve always said we’d follow the science. Thus, we are lifting the city-wide mask mandate but will continue to require masks in all city facilities.”
Individual businesses can still require masks or other COVID-19 protocols they feel are necessary.
Shannon Thompson just thinks the city should’ve waited until after the holiday to avoid another post-New Year’s spike like we saw last year.
“I just think it’s too soon, and we’re going right into the flu season as it is,” Thompson said. “I personally think we should wait until we get out of this season.”
A month ago, every county in Georgia had high COVID-19 transmission rates. As of Tuesday afternoon, only 8% do.
There is a hope that as more people get vaccinated, any potential post-holiday surge will have a harder time getting the same kind of grip on Georgia that COVID-19 did in January.
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