Despite lower COVID numbers and the apparent downfall of the variant Omicron, Philadelphia has began to reenforce a mask mandate inside public areas as many major cities in the United States had done before.
The decision comes just a few weeks after New York City mayor Eric Adams repealed New York’s long-lasting vaccination requirements and mask mandates. Realizing that it was not possible to simply wait out the pandemic by having these requirements (and under heavy fire from major NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving), Adams removed the rules to the delight of many New Yorkers.
Philadelphia on the other hand, is taking a more cautious approach to the situation, as New York had once done during its early stages of strict COVID guidelines. COVID-19 cases in the city have risen more than 50% alone in 10 days, which ultimately prompted the mask mandate.
While cases in Philly are still a fraction of what they were during the worst times of Omicron, the mayor is taking immediate action and attempting to fully stop the COVID-19 spread as fast as he can. Will this save the city, or will this just be another excuse for its civilians to get mad?
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/11/philadelphia-indoor-mask-mandate-covid
Image Credits: Matt Rourke/AP/File
