Don't Drop Your Masks Outside Just Yet, Maplewood Mayor Says

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — After the CDC advised on Friday that full vaccinated people — meaning, two weeks after their final shot — no longer had to wear masks, they included exceptions: "except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee doesn't want people to drop their masks right away.

McGehee sent out a message on Friday just before 8 p.m.:

"We are encouraged regarding the recent statement provided by the CDC. At this time, our current directives and regulations related to Covid will continue as the state strongly urge unvaccinated people to wear mask in crowded settings (even outdoors) when they can't social distance. The state did issue a statement today that indoor masking regulations will continue."

He had issued a similar statement on April 29.

He noted that guidance could change (which it may as soon as Monday): "That said, we look forward to hearing even more from the state regarding outdoor policies in the coming days and will act accordingly as the state is the law and the CDC is the guidance."

Hospitalization and fatality numbers

While the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from the virus as been declining as more people get vaccinated, many are just getting vaccinated, including teens. READ MORE: FDA Approves COVID Vaccine For Kids 12+: What It Means In NJ

In April, two Maplewood residents passed away from the virus, Village Green reported earlier this month. The total Maplewood death toll is now 36. However, the numbers are coming down, Health Officer Candice Davenport said.

Statewide, the Department of health reported that from this past Thursday to Friday, 30 new deaths were confirmed due to the virus. There were 1,041 people battling it in New Jersey hospitals on Wednesday, 162 of those on ventilators.

The state's daily death toll has not yet declined to the level of Sept. 8, when only 2 deaths were reported in one day, after a summer of lockdowns.

But on Thursday, Murphy Tweeted:

For the first time in over six months, our number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has fallen below 1,000. With our numbers trending in the right direction, we can continue fighting back against this virus if we all get vaccinated. — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 13, 2021

Studies have shown that the vaccine is at least 95 percent effective against the virus, and among those who still get it, it will reduce the chance of hospitalization and death.

New Jersey's worst day

New Jersey's peak daily death toll on April 30, 2020 was 460 fatalities reported in one day. The state's daily death toll has not yet declined to the level of Sept. 8, when only 2 deaths were reported in one day.

582,000 Americans have died of the virus as of Saturday, 3,000 more than the previous week.

You can see which states had the highest death toll in the past week on this CDC map, and see how each county is doing with this CDC link.

Find out about vaccines in Essex County here.

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