Last leg of state mask mandate ended Monday what does this mean for local healthcare FOX 28 Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Health has lifted the last remaining mask mandate which required masks to be worn inside healthcare facilities. So, does this mean the pandemic is over? To put it simply, no. Dr. Frank Velazquez with the Spokane Regional Health District says COVID is far away from being treated as the yearly flu, an endemic, due to how unpredictable the virus is. “And until we know that it is difficult to think about entering an endemic phase,” Dr. Velazquez said. Healthcare facilities across the state, including hospitals, urgent care, correctional facilities, etc., can still…