Masks Work: NC Extends Phase 3 As Cases Rise

Remember how masks were supposed to solve this?

Gov. Roy Cooper extends Phase 3 of COVID-19 restrictions as metrics continue trending in wrong direction

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that Phase 3 of his COVID-19 restrictions would remain in place for the next three weeks.

The state has been in Phase 3 since October 2. That allowed movie theatres, amusement parks, and outdoor venues to open at reduced capacity; it also allowed bars to open (with limited outdoor capacity) for the first time since March.

However, COVID-19 trends during the past week have been going in the wrong direction. Cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rates have all increased.

That increase in key metrics is not exclusive to North Carolina. In fact, many states are seeing a similar COVID-19 surge.

“Like states across the country, our numbers continue to be higher than we want. So our work to contain this virus remains critical,” Cooper said.

What could be causing this, something that isn’t unique to the United States: some countries, like Germany and the UK, are talking about rolling back reopening phases and even going back into lockdown

NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the surge in cases is not linked to any particular age group, activity, industry or community. She said that fact suggests fatigue associated with proven prevention measures — such as wearing a mask, waiting more than six feet apart, and washing hands — could be to blame.

America’s top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci echoed those sentiments recently by saying, “We’ve really got to double down on fundamental public health measures.”

Look, I’ll say again, wearing a mask is probably better than nothing, but, people wearing them makes many a little too careless. I was waiting in line to vote yesterday and this lady was standing about a foot behind me. I kinda looked at her, and when I moved up she moved with me. So I looked again. Still moved. Fortunately, a poll worker told her to just wait. Same at the grocery store, lady was way too close. But, let’s face it, a basic cloth covering does little. People who are sick should wear them, but, really, they should stay home.

Strangely, we aren’t hearing these problems in places like South Dakota, where the gov, Kristi Noem, has not slapped them with all these restrictions.