Should you wear a mask? Opinions split in Petaluma, but most say yes

While county health officials renew their recommendation to continue masking indoors, residents of Petaluma still hold a variety of opinions on the issue, with some saying they’ll wear them forevermore to protect the vulnerable, and others saying they’ll wear them only if required.

The range of responses – with dozens of Petalumans reaching out via email and social media to give their thoughts on the topic – came from an informal query presented by the Argus-Courier: “With a surge in COVID-19, RSV and flu cases, will you be wearing a mask this season?“

While a clear majority responded in the affirmative, there is also a strong undercurrent that is against masking, with some saying they are ineffective or even harmful.

That sentiment is not shared by health officials, who are now advising Americans to mask up amid a recent surge in respiratory illnesses. In a conversation with reporters on Dec. 5, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, encouraged people around the nation to wear a mask in order to not only protect against COVID-19, but also the ever-growing presence of influenza and RSV. Despite that, no new national mask mandates have been announced.

This week, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase joined a chorus of Bay Area health officials in supporting a recommendation that people wear masks in indoor public settings such as restaurants, stores, gyms, schools and workplaces. Sonoma County lifted its indoor mask requirement last February.

“We just need to recognize there’s very high levels of different respiratory viruses this season,” Mase said.

But that’s just a recommendation to wear masks indoors, not a mandate. In Petaluma, masking guidelines continue to be voluntary, though many residents remain wary of catching a respiratory illness.

“I think we have to make our own choices on what we feel is safe, but with education to back that up,” said Petaluma resident John Donnelly. “Being fully vaccinated and under 65, I feel like I want to let my immune system take its course with that on board. However, I do think I will wear a mask if going to a concert indoors during the winter or somewhere else where there are people I do not know in close proximity indoors.”

Petaluma resident Paul North also said he will continue to wear masks.

“I had gotten a little lax, but recently got a nasty respiratory infection that hit me hard for a couple of weeks,” North said. “I also help with various senior support efforts, and need to be careful for their sakes. So it’s masks for me when I’m around others. It can be a hassle sometimes, but it’s the adult thing to do.”

Others were not as concerned, and planned to leave the masks off.

“I would rather deal with the bug than wear a mask,” said Petaluma resident Danial Dean. “People wear masks and still get it so what's the point?”

Nina Fuchs went further, saying masking could actually be doing harm to human health in the long run.

“The fact that we’ve been over-sanitizing, isolating and masking for so long, we’ve created a huge problem for ourselves,” she said. “Our immune systems need interaction with other people to stay strong and we are doing the opposite.”

Several entertainment venues and indoor gathering places reached by the Argus-Courier said they have not made any plans to require masks, yet.

Cinnabar Theater, one of the city’s main performance venues, currently is on a production break until Dec. 31, but executive director Diane Dragone said theater leaders will keep an eye on how trends continue before it reopens for its upcoming lineup.

“We will need to (assess) the situation and come up with another plan,” Dragone said in an email, adding that she expects to provide clearer plans for the theater in the coming week.

Sonoma County was recently upgraded from "low" to "medium" on the CDC community risk scale, putting local schools on guard for potential shifts in masking guidelines.

Matthew Harris, superintendent of the Petaluma City Schools district, said the district continues to follow guidance given by the California Department of Public Health. Under the “medium” scale, the department recommends masking indoors, although no mandates are put in place.

“As conditions change and the CDPH shifts their guidance, PCS will also make changes to our COVID policy,” Harris said.

Amelia Parreira is a staff writer for the Argus-Courier. She can be reached at amelia.parreira@arguscourier.com or 707-521-5208.