WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Winona Health President/CEO Rachelle Schultz is asking community members to mask up in public regardless of their vaccination status.
She called masking the first line of defense against COVID-19 during an interview on KWNO’s In the Know Monday. She said a local and national decline in influenza deaths last year while mask mandates were widespread is an example of masks’ effectiveness.
“Nationally we usually see about 35, 36 thousand deaths from influenza annually and last year there were only 1,000,” said Schultz. “That’s a huge reduction and it’s really the masking that helps.”
Schultz says the influenza drop-off proves masks can stop other transmissible illnesses, including COVID-19.
“As little as it is and as simple as it is it’s really an effective means of protection,” said Schultz.
Winona County, like much of Minnesota, is continuing to experience a high rate of COVID-19 transmission, according to the CDC data tracker. Masks are required inside of Winona Health.
Winona Health is also offering COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
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