The Herald-Times
Monroe County's mask mandate will return next week as COVID infections rise and the number of people getting vaccinated wanes.
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidelines on mask wearing for vaccinated individuals, Monroe County Health Department Administrator Penny Caudill made the announcement during a COVID press conference that is held every other week with public health and elected officials.
Caudill said people between 12 and 18 years old are among the least vaccinated locally, which is cause for concern as schools prepare to welcome students back to classrooms. Monroe County Community School Corp. classes begin Aug. 4. The MCCSC school board decided this week students and unvaccinated staff would be required to wear masks while the Richland Bean-Blossom Community School Corp. board decided last week to make mask wearing optional.