Many in Columbia are asking for health orders to return, while others still oppose

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the month of July, many have begun to put masks back on in Boone County.

According to the county's COVID-19 Dashboard, Boone County has had 525 new cases from Monday, July 19 to Friday, July 23.

Boone County's five day average also peaked 84.2 cases on July 16, the highest number the county has seen since January 22.

This also comes as Missouri still lags behind in vaccination among its residents, with only 40.8% of Missourians completing vaccination according to the state's website.

With the increase in cases, many in Columbia are asking for health orders and mask mandates to return. Audrey Thomas, who had just attended the Boone County Fair, says the amount of people she saw in close proximity was a wake up call.

Thomas said, "It is scary, especially when the numbers are getting worse so I think masks would be a good thing.” The Boone County resident went further saying, "I definitely think that we should wear masks again until it gets under control and I will wear a mask until it does even if I am vaccinated which I am.”

Kristen Carranza, says she contracted Dysautonomia from a virus when she was young making mask wearing vital. Carranza says she lives in pain every day of her life and mentioned that she's seen some long COVID-19 patients contract the same condition.

When asked why it's important to wear a mask, Carranza said, "When I see people kind of upset at the inconvenience for wearing a mask, your life is going to be a lot more inconvenienced if you contract this virus and have a long term or perhaps chronic disability because of it.”