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Not Mask-Free Yet: Docs Say Children, Their Parents And Some Adults Should Continue Wearing Masks

By Jo Ingles

Published June 2, 2021 at 7:35 PM EDT

Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney, Cincinnati Children's Hospital [Ohio Department of Health] — Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney, Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Ohio’s statewide pandemic health orders ended June 2. And while the statewide mask mandate has been lifted, doctors say there are people who should still be wearing masks.

Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney, chief of staff at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital said Wednesday there are children there right now who are quite sick with COVID-19. And since kids 11 and under cannot be vaccinated, she said they should still wear masks.

“When they are out in crowds, out in public, out in stores, out at events, they should be masked and we are of the belief that parents and family members should mask along with them. It’s just the only way to protect that population,” Manning-Courtney said.

Kids, unvaccinated people, those who are older or immunocompromised are still in danger of catching COVID-19 and doctors, including Manning-Courtney, note there are new highly contagious variants out there. More than 5.3 million Ohioans have received at least partial vaccines at this point but doctors say that rate needs to climb significantly before herd immunity could possibly be achieved.

Some Ohio Republicans politicians, including Attorney General Dave Yost and U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel, have posted videos of themselves burning masks on social media. Manning-Courtney said she regrets that type of messaging and said Ohioans should be encouraged to wear masks if they are at risk of contracting COVID-19.