Coronavirus | Featured Stories

By Beth Stibal |

New mask guidelines explained for Palm Beach County

Virus Outbreak No Masks
Tuesday, April 27, 2021, Ken is fully vaccinated and Ana has already had one shot of vaccine. U.S. health officials say fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers. And unvaccinated people can drop face coverings in some cases, too. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

If you are fully vaccinated you don’t have to wear a mask inside or outside or socially distance, except on planes, trains buses and in hospitals and prisons. However just as the president and CDC made the announcement, eight fully vaccinated NY Yankee players and Bill Maher announced that they have tested positive for COVID. The vaccine is not 100% effective.

Masks will be optional for Palm Beach County students next year and students must continue to wear masks in Martin and Palm Beach counties for the remainder of this school year.
In a letter to students, parents, guardians, and school district staff members, Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy said he made the decision because of “the downward trend in the positivity rate in Palm Beach County, the increasing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for adults and children,” as well as a recommendation from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to end mask mandates in schools.
Mass vaccinations sites are closing at the end of the month, but pop up sites and no-appointment vaccines are available throughout Palm Beach County at Publix, and other pharmacies.

This weekend, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County is putting a mobile vaccination clinic next to E.R. Bradley’s on Datura Street in downtown West Palm Beach by the waterfront.

“We’re making it convenient for people who have not yet been vaccinated, including adolescents who are now eligible,” said Darcy J. Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. “With our mobile clinic parked downtown, visitors can receive a vaccination on their way to dinner.”

Even though masks are required in crowded settings, the South Florida Fair has made them optional. Also, private businesses can still require them, so have a mask handy.

If you are not vaccinated, the CDC requires you socially distance and wear a mask, however, there will be no enforcement.
Those with compromised immune systems are advised to seek guidance from their doctors about facemasks and social distancing.

Meanwhile, ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ is canceled this week, after the show’s host tested positive for COVID-19.

A tweet from the show says Maher is vaccinated but tested positive during the show’s weekly PCR testing ahead of Friday night’s show taping.

The show says Maher is asymptomatic and that no other show staff or crew member have tested positive at this time.