Q: Is Hamilton County's mask mandate really working?
A: This past summer, Hamilton County officials noted that the county's COVID-19 cases began to increase in May and early June and then, after a brief dip, to rise markedly in late June and the beginning of July.
We knew that covering your mouth and nose with a facial covering or mask had been shown to be an effective way to fight the spread of COVID-19 and had hoped that voluntary compliance would be adequate. However, recognizing that nationally there was also a rise in cases, it was decided by County Mayor Jim Coppinger, after consulting with the Health Department leadership and local business leaders, to require the wearing of face masks in public. He requested that I issue such a directive under my authority as the county health officer, and I did so.
This requirement began on July 10. Cases continued to rise for about 10 more days, as expected, and the seven-day moving average of cases peaked at 122 on July 20. After that, we have seen a gradual decrease in cases and, as of Oct. 2, that seven-day average was 56, or less than half of the peak in July. Our hospital cases peaked a bit later, again as expected, at the end of July and also have gradually decreased, especially for Hamilton County residents.
More serious cases, based on ICU admissions, have decreased from a high of 40 at the beginning of August to a current number of 13 at the beginning of October. The data supporting this can be found at http://health.hamiltontn.org/AllServices/Coronavirus(COVID-19).aspx.
There appears to be ample evidence that this measure is working. Anecdotally, there appears to be good compliance with mask wearing, but we could always improve. I urge all citizens to abide by the requirements of the mask directive. At a news conference on Tuesday, the mayor announced the continuation of this mandate for another 45 days due to its success. He was supported at that event by many members of the local medical community and the local business community. These leaders pointed out that, not only was the simple act of wearing a mask, along with physical distancing and good hygiene, contributing to protecting the health of Hamilton County residents, but it was protecting the economy of Hamilton County as well.
That news conference can be viewed at the Hamilton County YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBCAjRpY0QfUH5m8U4U5YJw.
Dr. Paul M. Hendricks is health officer for the Hamilton County Health Department and a member of the Chattanooga- Hamilton County Medical Society.