The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advised New Yorkers to wear masks ahead of Labor Day weekend.

“Like all viruses, Covid-19 adapts, and we continue to adapt to keep New Yorkers safe too. One recent change to COVID-19 is the BA.2.86 variant, which has been seen in other parts of the U.S. and was recently detected in New York City’s sewage. While we have yet to find it in a specimen from a local resident, it is almost certainly circulating here,” NYC Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said in a statement on the latest variant.

“Based on the degree of mutations – while vaccinated people continue to be protected against serious illness – this variant may be more likely to evade immunity that has developed from vaccination or prior infection than earlier variants. But there is currently no indication that it causes more severe illness. We continue to monitor this carefully, alongside our colleagues at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization,” he added.

“As cases rise, precautions become increasingly important, especially for our most vulnerable New Yorkers who are older, disabled, or have underlying health conditions. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, along with other proven prevention tools – like masking, testing, and staying home when sick – continue to be our best defense against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Antibodies from vaccination and prior infection will continue to provide some protection, as will available antiviral treatments like Paxlovid, which is still effective against all circulating strains of COVID-19,” he continued.

“As we enter the traditional respiratory virus season, an updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to become available in the coming weeks. Studies are still evaluating the new booster for its effectiveness against the BA.2.86 variant, but indicators suggest it will be effective at preventing severe illness and death. That’s why it’s especially important that New Yorkers that are most vulnerable get the new booster when it’s available. New Yorkers should talk to their health care or vaccination providers about the updated COVID-19 vaccine and this year’s flu vaccine. It is also a perfect time to get this year’s flu vaccine when available. For new parents, talk to your child’s pediatrician about the benefits of the RSV monoclonal antibody for infants, and for older or at-risk adults, talk to your provider about getting the new RSV vaccine. For assistance with finding a health care provider, call 311 or visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov to find a location near you and make an appointment,” he concluded.

Daily Mail first reported the story:

New Yorkers are being told to consider masking up this Labor Day weekend due to concerns about rising Covid cases and two new variants.

A spokesman for NYC’s health department told DailyMail.com that wearing a mask may be a ‘good idea’ in crowded indoor areas this weekend when people are expected to congregate in large groups for the holidays.

But they also expressed that ‘nothing about the guidance has changed’ and that the city currently had no plans to make masks compulsory.

The latest data suggests the city’s infection rate is about 18 cases per 100,000 people on August 29 — although this is likely to be an underestimate because so few people are now testing themselves for the virus.

New York City’s bloated, invasive government will also use drones to monitor house parties during Labor Day weekend.

Democrat-Led City Using Drones to Monitor House Parties This Weekend

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) will use surveillance drones to monitor outdoor parties and barbecues this holiday weekend.

NYPD plans to use the drones to respond to complaints about large parties during Labor Day weekend.

“If a caller states there’s a large crowd, a large party in a backyard, we’re going to be utilizing our assets to go up and go check on the party,” Kaz Daughtry, the assistant NYPD Commissioner, said at a press conference.

WATCH:

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.