The State of California issued a new health order regarding mask usage on May 3, 2021. 

In sum, children under 2 are exempt from wearing a mask covering at all times due to the risk of suffocation. 

You can find more information about proper mask fitting and scenarios for wearing a mask on our Face Coverings and Masks webpage.

Regarding camps, youth activities and child care / day care environments: the State of California's order defers to the local level, therefore, operators of camps, youth activities, and child care can continue to follow Marin's guidelines.  In a camp, youth activities or child care environment, children 12 years and over are required to wear face coverings. In a camp, youth activities, or child care environment, children over 2 up to 12 years old should be encouraged to wear them as much as reasonable, with supervision, however, they are not required to wear them.  Children 2 and under are not supposed to wear face coverings.  Children over the age of 2 should wear cloth face coverings when not actively engaged in physical activity to reduce the risk for transmission only if the parent and provider determine they can reliably wear, remove, and handle face coverings following CDC guidance throughout the day. Children under 12 wearing a cloth face covering shall be actively monitored by child care, youth activity, or camp personnel at all times.

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. After two months of progress, COVID-19 case counts are no longer declining across the region, and in some areas locally and nationally case rates are increasing again. Travel-related infections are threatening further progress. Travel outside of the region also increases risk of infection with new variants of the virus and the accelerated introduction of these variants into our community. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommend delaying travel and staying home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, even if you are vaccinated. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Travel Advisory includes recommendations to curb the spread of COVID-19 and contain new sources of infection.

Recommendations

• Schools have the authority to implement stricter requirements for returning travelers.
• Avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries.

If you must travel, take steps to protect yourself and others:

• If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
• Before you travel, get tested 1-3 days before your trip.
• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public.
• Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you.

All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days.

• Quarantine may be shortened to 7 days if all travelers in the household are asymptomatic and test negative with an antigen or molecular viral test on Day 5 or later.
• Fully vaccinated persons do not need to quarantine unless required by employer.
• Students who did not travel with their parents / guardians can attend school if returning parents / guardians can quarantine.

Those adhering to the advice and staying close to home still need to consider restrictions on in-person gatherings.

•  CDPH recommends holding gatherings outside, where air circulation is better.
• Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are still strongly discouraged from entering California.

Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting sick after you return: 

• When around others, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household. It is important to do this everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. 
• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are outside of your home. 
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol). 
• Watch your health and look for symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if you feel sick. 

The federal government, under the umbrella of Operation Warp Speed, has been working since the start of the pandemic to make a COVID-19 vaccine available as soon as possible. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully reviews all safety data from clinical trials and authorizes emergency vaccine use (EUA) only when the expected benefits outweigh potential risks. COVID-19 vaccines were tested in large clinical trials to make sure they meet safety standards. Many people (>30,000 for each trial) were recruited to participate in these trials to determine how the vaccines offers protection to people of different ages, races, and ethnicities, as well as those with different medical conditions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviews all safety data before recommending any COVID-19 vaccine for use. Learn how ACIP makes vaccine recommendations. FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, to make sure even very rare side effects are identified.

To ensure the COVID-19 vaccine meets safety requirements, California formed a Scientific Safety Review Work Group comprised of nationally recognized immunization, public health, academic and other subject matter experts. The work group is staying abreast of vaccine candidate(s) trials, evidence of safety and efficacy, and other information to independently provide recommendations to California leadership and vaccine planning efforts as well as ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts.

There are also several safety monitoring systems set up in the US, including:

•  Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
•  Vaccine safety datalink
•  Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project (CISA)
•  “V-safe”

These safety monitoring systems provide methods for checking in with vaccine recipients after vaccination and allow participants to report any side effects or health problems experienced after COVID-19 vaccination.

Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.

Public health experts do not yet know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19. Community immunity is a term used to describe when enough people have protection—either from previous infection or vaccination—that it is unlikely a virus or bacteria can spread and cause disease. As a result, everyone within the community is protected even if some people don’t have any protection themselves. The percentage of people who need to have protection in order to achieve community immunity varies by disease.

Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.

Muslim communities have expressed concern over the contents of some of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials and production around the world. At the center of their apprehension is whether the vaccines contain pig fat or pork products, which are prohibited under Islamic law.

On Dec. 23, 2020, the United Arab Emirates’ highest Islamic authority said that COVID-19 vaccines are permissible for Muslims, even if they contain pork gelatin. In other countries, including India, Muslim leaders are still debating their positions.

The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna do not use pork gelatin in their formulas. Gelatin from pork and cow products is often used in vaccines to stabilize the drug’s ingredients and ensure they remain effective through the distribution process. The two COVID-19 vaccines also do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.

For a full list of ingredients, please see each vaccine’s Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers:

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine