Did Assembly mask ordinance slow down virus in Anchorage? Data shows trend was already heading down statewide

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The Anchorage Assembly majority says that the masking ordinance AO 2021-91 has led to lower numbers of Anchorage residents testing positive for Covid-19, and thus the mandate can end early.

Read: Masking ordinance to end early as mask-majority on Assembly declares victory

Assemblywoman Meg Zaletel is taking credit for Anchorage numbers dropping, saying the mask mandate that she and the nine-member majority voted into emergency law is the reason.

A medical professional in Alaska who has been studying Covid trends has kept track of the statewide numbers, and provided this data to Must Read Alaska; he has also provided the data to the Assembly today. It is data that reflects Covid positive tests statewide.

DATE 7 DAY STATEWIDE ROLLING AVERAGE (FROM BROWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH)

09/27/21 178.2

Discussion of AO 2021-91 starts

10/01/21 154.8

10/04/21 120.5

10/08/21 109.2

Mask Emergency Ordinance passes

10/12/21 111.8

10/13/21 118.9

10/15/21 124.0

10/18/21   70.3 suspected reporting anomaly 

10/19/21 116.3

10/20/21 108.3

10/21/21 109.3

10/22/21 106.7

10/25/21 139.0

10/26/21   98.7

10/27/21   93.8

10/28/21   89.8

11/01/21   86.3

11/02/21   81.4

11/03/21   83.6

11/04/21   80.5

11/05/21   81.6

11/08/21   77.9

11/09/21   75.6

11/10/21   71.4

11/11/21   58.7

11/12/21   58.8

11/13/21   58.8

11/15/21   53.8

11/16/21   53.3

11/17/21   53.1

11/18/21   63.2

11/19/21   56.4

11/22/21   49.8

11/23/21   45.9

11/24/21   46.8

11/25/21   36.7

11/26/21   38.8

11/29/21   38.4

11/30/21   38.8

12/01/21   35.6

12/02/21   42.3

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    Suzanne Downing founded Must Read Alaska and served as its editor for many years. Her prolific writing spans nearly every topic meaningful to Alaskans. Before founding Must Read Alaska, she served as editor of the Juneau Empire and as a speechwriter for Governor Sean Parnell.

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