{"id":2531197,"date":"2026-01-07T19:33:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T00:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/community-activist-objects-to-mask-mandate-during-flu-surge\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T19:35:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T00:35:02","slug":"community-activist-objects-to-mask-mandate-during-flu-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/community-activist-objects-to-mask-mandate-during-flu-surge\/","title":{"rendered":"Community activist objects to mask mandate during flu surge"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcommunity-activist-objects-to-mask-mandate-during-flu-surge%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531197&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Banner Health has reinstated a mandatory mask policy at its facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming in response to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-media-technology-group-stocks-spike-after-landing-etf-crypto-deal-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump Media &amp; Technology Group stocks spike after landing ETF-Crypto deal - Washington Examiner\">critically important surge<\/a> in seasonal influenza. The Phoenix-based nonprofit says the requirement is intended to protect patients, staff, and vulnerable populations, with Chief Clinical Officer dr. Marjorie Bessel noting masks help reduce spread and protect high-risk groups (older adults, very young children, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions). Arizona activist Lisa Everett criticized the mandate, saying masking should be a choice, that masks can cause breathing problems for people with asthma, and questioning the effectiveness of basic disposable masks. Everett urged opponents to voice their concerns politely and warned against reusing masks from pockets or purses. The mandate remains in effect until further notice.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Community activist objects to mask mandate during flu surge<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2466312\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; &nbsp;A community activist is not happy with Banner Health <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/face-masks\/\">mandating masks<\/a> at all its facilities in&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/arizona\/\">Arizona<\/a> during a flu surge.<\/p>\n<p>The mandate also applies to Banner <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/health\/\">Health&rsquo;s<\/a> facilities in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4409962\/us-population-to-shrink-after-2056-cbo-says\/\">US population to start shrinking after 2056, CBO says<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4409848\/alcohol-more-lax-treatment-maha-dietary-guidelines-rfk-jr\/\">Alcohol gets more lax treatment in MAHA dietary guidelines from RFK Jr.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4409531\/no-added-sugar-more-protein-rfk-jr-maha-dietary-guidelines\/\">No added sugar and more protein: RFK Jr. releases new MAHA dietary guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Banner Health, which is based in Phoenix, did not respond to The Center Square&rsquo;s request for comments. However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >nonprofit health care system<\/a> did state in a press release that the mandate is &ldquo;due to a significant surge in seasonal influenza&rdquo; and is meant to protect patients.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This measure is necessary because older patients and those with immunodeficiencies are at heightened risk, and these extra precautions will help safeguard our most vulnerable populations,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bannerhealth.com\/newsroom\/press-releases\/mandatory-masking-jan-2026\">said<\/a>&nbsp;Dr. Marjorie Bessel, Banner Health chief clinical officer. &ldquo;Our top priority is to protect our patients, staff, and the communities we serve by reducing the spread of the virus.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Arizona activist Lisa Everett first voiced her frustration in an emailed newsletter. She said the problem is that masks are mandatory.<\/p>\n<p>&lsquo;It should be a choice,&rdquo; Everett told The Center Square. &ldquo;If I&rsquo;m concerned about my health, I can wear a mask, but I don&rsquo;t think someone like myself, who is asthmatic, should be required to wear a mask and have breathing problems because I need to go to the doctor for something else.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Everett added that &ldquo;the jury is still out&rdquo; on whether masks work.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Even the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stated the simple little masks that they hand out at any doctor&rsquo;s office desk do not really offer much protection,&rdquo; Everett said.<\/p>\n<p>Everett recommended that people opposed to mask mandates make their voices heard.<\/p>\n<p>Be polite about it, she said, but state your opposition.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Of course, you&rsquo;re going to have to comply to be seen, and if you do, please don&rsquo;t re-wear a mask because that is just breathing in germs from before, and that is going to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biological-factors-of-happiness-and-how-it-impacts-our-physical-health\/\" title=\"Biological Factors of Happiness, and How It Impacts Our Physical ...\">create health problems<\/a>,&rdquo; said Everett. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s very sad when I see people shove their mask in their purse or their pocket or whatever and then reuse it over and over again. That&rsquo;s just not sanitary and safe.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4409962\/us-population-to-shrink-after-2056-cbo-says\/\">US POPULATION TO START SHRINKING AFTER 2056, CBO SAYS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Banner Health&rsquo;s mask mandate is in effect until further notice.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The flu kills tens of thousands of people each year,&rdquo; Dr. Bessel said in the Banner Health&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bannerhealth.com\/newsroom\/press-releases\/mandatory-masking-jan-2026\">press release<\/a>. &ldquo;Our masking plan will help us protect everyone, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/this-week-certain-at-risk-americans-can-get-a-fourth-covid-19-shot\/\" title=\"This Week, Certain At-Risk Americans Can Get A Fourth COVID-19 Shot\">high-risk groups including<\/a> those 65 and older, children 2 and under, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Activist opposes Banner Health mask mandate<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2531198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP9177580911010422.jpg?w=400","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[70355,70356,38313,70354,32068],"class_list":["post-2531197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-community-activist","tag-flu-surge","tag-health-policy","tag-mask-mandate","tag-public-health"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP9177580911010422.jpg?w=400","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531197"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2531201,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531197\/revisions\/2531201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}