Navigating changing guidance for wearing masks

Last week, St. Paul and Minneapolis dropped their mask mandates, following many cities and counties across the nation who have lifted their mandates in recent weeks. And under new CDC guidelines, most Americans no longer need to wear masks or social distance. 

Under the new guidelines, about 70 percent of Americans live in areas where COVID-19 poses a low or medium impact to hospitals, and no longer need to wear a mask. The CDC still recommends masking in areas with a high risk of COVID-19. 

However, individual cities and counties, as well as private businesses, can set their own rules. And the CDC still recommends wearing a mask in medium risk areas if you are immunocompromised. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with infectious disease specialists about the new guidelines for masking, and what to weigh when deciding whether to wear a mask. 

Guests: 

• Dr. Rebecca Wurtz is an infectious disease physician and an associate professor in the University of Minnesota’s Division of Health Policy and Management

• Dr. Jill Foster is a pediatric infectious disease physician at the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview

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