Mask mandates make a comeback in 8 U.S. states amid fears of quad-demic | 7 Jan 2025 | Face mask mandates appear to be making a quiet comeback in hospitals across the US amid growing concerns over what experts are calling a "quad-emic." Four viral infections -- flu, Covid, the cold-like virus RSV and norovirus -- are rising, reaching around 15 million cases and 30,000 deaths so far this winter. In response to the outbreak, Duke Health in North Carolina and Mass General Brigham in Massachusetts both updated their masking and visitor guidelines this week. It means hospitals in at least eight states are requiring or strongly urging mask-wearing indoors, including Wisconsin, California, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey and New York. The move comes amid growing fears about a[n alleged] viral outbreak in China that has reportedly overwhelmed hospitals in northern provinces. [Do not comply.]