Covid surge hits California as officials urge people to start wearing masks again
Source: The Independent
Thursday 04 September 2025 09:37 BST
Public health officials in California are reporting a late summer Covid-19 wave hitting the Golden State, noting a continued increase in new cases as some at county level advocate for a return to indoor mask wearing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that coronavirus infections are either growing or likely growing in 30 states, including California, suggesting that increased socializing over the Labor Day weekend and the return of children to school for the fall term may have exacerbated the spread.
The CDC also notes that the state has high levels of coronavirus detectable in its sewage water and that the rate at which coronavirus lab tests are coming back positive is continuing to rise.
Results for the week ending August 23 saw 12.07 percent of tests across the state come back positive, The Los Angeles Times reports, double what it was in the equivalent week in late July. At a local level, similar leaps were seen in Los Angeles County, with 13.44 percent of tests coming back positive in late August compared to 8.11 percent a month earlier.
Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/covid-california-surge-masks-vaccines-b2819854.html

OLDMDDEM
(2,721 posts)markodochartaigh
(4,007 posts)I'm going back to limiting my time in stores, checking out immediately if I notice sick people shopping, avoiding aisles with crowds or children, etc.
Vaxxed and boosted I still got covid and now I have long covid. It has taken years off my life and if I get it again that may well be the end for me.
OLDMDDEM
(2,721 posts)LoisB
(11,621 posts)1WorldHope
(1,590 posts)Tumbulu
(6,585 posts)I am utterly paranoid about getting it again, I believe it will be the end of me.
muriel_volestrangler
(104,693 posts)Here's the CDC page (dated Aug 29th): https://www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling-and-forecasting/rt-estimates/index.html
California and Florida are both "likely growing" (85% chance it is growing), Rt=1.05 (number of new infections per case); Emergency Dept visits with covid=1.88% in California, 2.85% in Florida.
It's worse in Texas - 97% chance it's growing, Rt=1.13, ED visit%=2.93.
It's just that California is doing something about it.
Luckily, the 3 states where CVS won't give Covid vaccines - Nevada, New Mexico and Massachusetts - are in the "not changing" category. In Florida you need a prescription. In California and Texas the vaccine is available without prescription.
republianmushroom
(21,371 posts)IcyPeas
(24,223 posts)Are there still some truth tellers at the CDC?
1WorldHope
(1,590 posts)better stock up on ivermectin. They can't keep it on the shelves in Western neb. They use it as a cute all now. It cures cancer don't you know. 🫣
brakester
(450 posts)does it cure stupidity?
1WorldHope
(1,590 posts)LoisB
(11,621 posts)maxsolomon
(37,356 posts)They're not going to get a lot of cooperation on a mask mandate.
IronLionZion
(49,900 posts)I would think our side has masks if we want to use them. I have a bunch leftover from before. If any DUers don't, now is a good time to buy some good quality American made N95 masks. The Asian made K95 ear loop masks can work in a pinch since that's what they use in Asia.
SunSeeker
(56,648 posts)They are all under 65 and have not gotten vaccines.
IronLionZion
(49,900 posts)Since the headline buries how it is nationwide
This should help DUers feel slightly better:
She also advocated for a return to masks, adding: Wearing a high-quality mask such as an N95, KN95, or KF94 that fits well continues to provide strong protection.
brakester
(450 posts)Why it matters: Following Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s major curtailing of COVID vaccine eligibility on Wednesday, many Americans are left confused about whether and how they'll be able to get shots amid a surging "stratus" variant.
The 3 states where CVS won't offer any boosters are New Mexico, Massachusetts and Nevada.
Of course there are other businesses where you can get the shots. We get ours at our local chain grocery store pharmacies.
This is going to cause an epidemic of COVID and long COVID.
I've been convinced for a while that trumpinistas want us to die.