Masks go back on as delta cases increase
Stores, offices, salons setting requirements
The response to COVID-19, 18 months after the virus began to spread throughout Wisconsin, is evolving again.
Mask policies that were thrown out earlier this spring are returning to stores, workplaces and venues. Meanwhile, employers around the country, including key local health care systems, are mandating that workers received vaccines.
This comes as the delta variant has pushed infections and hospitalizations to the highest level since April in Wisconsin. And other parts of the country are seeing alarming increases as the variant rapidly spreads.
Unlike last year, Wisconsin state and local municipalities are not putting mask mandates into effect.
The new masking rules are coming from companies that are responding to the highly contagious coronavirus delta variant and new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC updated its guidance at the end of July to say that all people should wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination in areas with high transmission of COVID-19. The majority of counties in Wisconsin, including the entire Milwaukee metro area, fall into the CDC’s “high” or “substantial” transmission categories.
The number of new daily cases in Wisconsin is increasing and hospitalizations from COVID-19 are at the highest level since April. The delta variant is most prominent. Around 50% of all Wisconsin residents are fully vaccinated.
The spread of COVID-19 in other parts of the country is making people nervous. In Florida, more people are hospitalized with COVID-19 than at any time during the pandemic. Earlier in the week, Florida had 11,500 hospitalized COVID patients who were using 84% of hospital beds in that state.
Vaccinations are the best tool to quell the pandemic, public health experts say.
Nationally, employers like Microsoft, Walmart are requiring vaccines for many of their office workers. Tyson Foods Inc. — the country’s largest meat supplier — is requiring that its entire workforces be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Health systems in Wisconsin like Froedtert Health, Marshfield Clinic and Ascension Wisconsin will require staff and providers to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Mask requests return
Masks are coming back as some stores, offices and salons ask employees and customers to cover their faces.
All state employees were required to wear face masks again starting Thursday. The University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee are requiring masks to be worn indoors. Many concerts around Milwaukee are returning to mask requirements and some require proof of vaccination to attend.
Major retailers like Walmart, Target and Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s Corp. have started to require all employees in COVID-19 hot spots to wear masks again.
The grocer that operates Pick ‘n Save and Metro Market stores across Wisconsin — the Milwaukee-based Roundy’s division of the Kroger Co. — said it hasn’t updated its requirements but is encouraging mask wearing.
“Our current mask guidance requires unvaccinated associates to wear masks and requests that unvaccinated customers wear masks when in our stores and facilities,” Kroger said in a statement.
“In light of the Delta variant and updated CDC recommendations, we strongly encourage all individuals, including those who are vaccinated, to wear a mask when in our stores and facilities.”
At Kohl’s corporate offices, employees started wearing masks again Wednesday.
“Kohl’s Corporate associates will be asked to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, unless they are in their offices, cubicles or in conference rooms with the ability to maintain 6-foot social distancing,” the company said this week.
Kohl’s has been planning to begin welcoming its corporate workforce back into the office in September. The company is monitoring the situation and plans to give employees more information on opening the corporate office later this month.
The rules at many businesses are returning. And it looks a lot like last year when masking became part of life at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neroli Salon & Spa is asking all customers to wear masks again at its locations in Milwaukee, Brookfield, Glendale and Mequon.
Bars like Boone & Crockett are encouraging customers to wear masks again while ordering and moving around inside. Company Brewing in Riverwest said it made the decision to “reduce confusion” about its policy.
“Although all of our staff are fully vaccinated, in an effort to reduce confusion we are now requiring the use of face masks by our staff and all of our guests, vaccinated or not,” the brewery said in an Instagram post.