Sununu plans to extend New Hampshire's mask mandate
Experts say compliance with order could reduce community transmission up to 30%
Updated: 6:59 PM EST Jan 11, 2021
Amy Coveno
News Anchor/Reporter
MANDATE WILL BE EXTENDED. HERE ARE THE DETAILS. >> THEY ARE ADDRESSING THE MASS MANDATE AND THE SAFER AT HOME ORDER, SAYING THE STATE HAS UTILIZED THE WRONG APPROACH TO FIGHTING THIS PANDEMIC, CITING HIGH CASE RATES RIGHT NOW, AS WELL AS THE PRESSURE ON NEW HAMPSHIRE'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. IT WILL BE MONTHS BEFORE THE MASKS ARE EVEN CONSIDERED TO BE OPTIONAL. THE END MAY BE IN SIGHT, BUT IT'S NOT HERE YET. HEALTH OFFICIALS INSIST MASKS SAVE LIVES AND PREVENTS BREAD. -- PREVENTS SPREAD. A STATE-BY-STATE ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UNIVERSAL MASK WEARING, AND IT ESTIMATES THAT IT REDUCES TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 BY SOME 30%. THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON 95% COMPLIANCE. >> FACE COVERINGS HELP THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS. PEOPLE HONE IN ON, O THEY ARE NOT THAT EFFECTIVE. I THINK I HAVE USED THE SWISS CHEESE VISUAL. EACH METHOD HAS SOME HOLES IF YOU PLUG ENOUGH OF THEM UP YOU ARE DOING THE BEST THAT YOU
Gov. Chris Sununu is indicating that the state's mask mandate -- set to expire Friday -- will be extended.>> Download the free WMUR appIn a statement, Sununu said that loosening or eliminating the tools the state has utilized to slow the spread of COVID-19 would be the wrong way to fight the pandemic.He said case rates are high in New Hampshire, and the coronavirus is putting pressure on the state's health care system.Even though vaccinations are underway, health officials said it will be months before enough people are vaccinated to allow restrictions to be eased.Experts have estimated that in New Hampshire, 95% compliance with the mask mandate would reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by 19-30%."Face coverings help," said Phil Alexakos, of the Manchester Health Department. "They are not going to solve all of the problems. People hone in on, 'Oh, they are not that effective.' I think I have used the swiss cheese visual. Each method has some holes. If you plug enough of them up, you are doing the best that you can."Health officials said there are still lingering questions over whether vaccinated people can still spread COVID-19.
MANCHESTER, N.H. —
Gov. Chris Sununu is indicating that the state's mask mandate -- set to expire Friday -- will be extended.
>> Download the free WMUR app
In a statement, Sununu said that loosening or eliminating the tools the state has utilized to slow the spread of COVID-19 would be the wrong way to fight the pandemic.
He said case rates are high in New Hampshire, and the coronavirus is putting pressure on the state's health care system.
Even though vaccinations are underway, health officials said it will be months before enough people are vaccinated to allow restrictions to be eased.
Experts have estimated that in New Hampshire, 95% compliance with the mask mandate would reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by 19-30%.
"Face coverings help," said Phil Alexakos, of the Manchester Health Department. "They are not going to solve all of the problems. People hone in on, 'Oh, they are not that effective.' I think I have used the swiss cheese visual. Each method has some holes. If you plug enough of them up, you are doing the best that you can."
Health officials said there are still lingering questions over whether vaccinated people can still spread COVID-19.