BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK)– The CDC recommends masking indoors for counties that have a high level of COVID-19 transmission. This includes, Door, Brown and Marinette.
“Currently in the high category, we do have a lot of recommendations. People should try to mask when they can in public and be cognizant of what’s going on in the community to help prevent this from getting out of hand,” says Dr. Brad Burmeister, Emergency Physician for Bellin Health.
Although the COVID-19 level is high in Brown County right now, some say they aren’t worried.
“I’m pretty sure I got it a few times already, so not really. I survived so far, but if I do get it, I will just stay at home which is fine with me as well,” says Green Bay resident Vincent Vales.
Al Larson lives in Milwaukee, which is also a high county. The city of Milwaukee issued a mask advisory in July.
“I will not be wearing a mask, especially outside. Obviously, if someone has autoimmune issues here, I can see why they are more careful and avoid crowds,” says Larson.
Vales says he doesn’t mind the masks.
“I try to self distance myself from people regardless, but If I do end up having to wear it, that’s fine with me,” says Vales.
Larson says he took precautions for a long time but now is back to normal.
“For about a year and a half, my wife and I didn’t dine in restaurants. We would be outside on the patios, and we tried to do a lot of hiking and kayaking,” says Larson.
Although the numbers are high, Burmeister says symptoms are not as severe as they once were.
“Thankfully, overall it seems like, on average, people are less sick than they had been previously when they do get COVID-19,” says Burmeister.
Many people have started taking home tests rather than going to a testing site.
“The home tests are very accurate, so if it says you are positive, particularly if you have symptoms, you almost certainly have COVID-19,” says Burmeister.
Burmeister says the most important thing to do right now is to stay home if you are sick.
Even though Brown County is in a high level, the state of Wisconsin’s numbers are slowly declining.
Burmeister says COVID cases could rise when students return to school.
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