It’s definitely worst for babies and their parents. But a cloth mask is not, like, amazing protection if there are unmasked, unvaccinated adults… and they actually prefer the KN95s anyway. Cloth is good enough for school.
Guess we won’t be shopping at Walmart for awhile. There are already a ton of unmasked lunatics in there, shouting about their freedoms, and this is just going to increase it with the less loud ones. Drew wears a mask now, but I’m not willingly exposing my kids to this nonsense.
2 Likes
Are there kid size KN95s? We’ve been using cloth masks for Kiddo since his face is so small. His nose is also lower profile so getting the adjustable bit for the nose piece has been essential.
3 Likes
We’ve just been happy that Meowlet keeps his mask on. Seal is unclear. And it’s just cloth. 
2 Likes
I thought this article did a good job of laying down the science behind the CDC’s decision. I personally found it comforting:
That of course does not solve the very real problem of not being able to tell whether someone with no mask has been vaccinated or not, and what impact that will have on people who can’t get vaccinated as you’ve all been discussing. But for people who are able to get vaccinated, this is really good news.
7 Likes
It is almost 9 pm here. The new health dept order with new (much looser) mask rules is supposed to go into effect at 9 am tomorrow. While there has been a press release and a ton of media coverage, the actual text of the freaking order hasn’t been released yet. And there are workplace safety rules still in effect saying we have to require masks which aren’t getting updated tomorrow (they are usually behind the health department by a couple weeks at least). I freaking give up.
At least in my state my type of library has a governing board so we can make our own rules. And my board passed a resolution delegating the power to make pandemic-related rules to me. So I can still require masks which I’ll do at least until the upheaval settles.
It just didn’t have to be this disorganized! We had a plan of what changes would happen at what % vaccinated level. Even if it was going to be modified we didn’t have to do a EVERYTHING CHANGES TOMORROW DO IT NOW NOW NOW rollout.
7 Likes
I feel like these decisions are being made in places with high mask compliance and low vaccine refusal(there’s nothing hesitant about these mfers). Come walk around the south for a minute and then decide what we need to do.(ETA: last bit directed at CDC and Fauci)
6 Likes
Oh wait, the text just got released. At 9 pm on a Friday night before it goes into effect at 9 am tomorrow. Cool cool cool. 
2 Likes
We use these kids’ KN95 masks:
First tried the small size, but they didn’t come up over my kid’s nose. The regular size fits him pretty well. My 5yo is 4”1” and 55lbs and we never tried the XS.
3 Likes
CDC damn well knows better- they’re in Atlanta.
4 Likes
I also use the WellBefore ones. The boys and I all wear the regular size, which is also great for adults like me who have narrow faces.
Thanks for posting this 
1 Like
Everyone I have seen so far today–which is not that many people to be fair–is wearing a mask. Word may not have gotten out yet that we are not requiring them! AFAIK all library staff plan to wear them at the public areas and many fully vaxxed staff are still wearing them in staff areas. I am not wearing them in the staff areas anymore–I felt ready to make that change (I am fully vaxxed and all staff have had the chance at least), although I have mentioned a few times that I would be happy to mask if my coworkers would prefer it.
3 Likes
“Target, Macy’s, and Starbucks are among those saying they’ll still mandate masks in their stores“
1 Like
Random question someone here might know:
Is there any longitudinal studies being done on immune systems of babies that grew up during covid. I know being exposed to germs and a variety of germs is important in immune system development at young ages - are they studying to see how immune systems of lil ones that grew up during covid time without as much exposure to germs/variety of germs?
7 Likes
Not that I’ve heard of, but I did discuss this with my pediatrician. There’s still a lot of germ exposure just from the natural environment and stuff like that. And plenty of kids aren’t that immune isolated because they still need to go to daycare and other group care settings. It does make you wonder though, and is one of the reasons that I don’t mind if my dog licks the baby or if she licks a pinecone. 
7 Likes
The CDC headquarters are in Georgia though.
Costco today everyone has masks, they require them, but about half under noses.
1 Like
Was back at Walmart today (seriously, WHY DOES NO ONE HAVE TOMATO CAGES ahem)- everyone was masked still 
I was surprised TBH. I am not in Portland proper, it is not a liberal area.
3 Likes
We went to Costco and about 2/3rds of people had masks on. Where the Costco is has not had a mask mandate though for several months.
2 Likes
Not really what you asked but I saw this article today
1 Like