Vegas casinos back at it again with mask mandates

Just as we all thought things were going back to normal and restrictions began being lifted, some casinos in Las Vegas are taking a step back and requiring employees to wear masks on the clock. The odd thing is that vaccinated workers have to wear them as well, “just in case”. This is a rather interesting development considering that by now everyone and their mothers had the opportunity to receive a shot - shouldn’t that mean that those with a poke are already in the safer zone? Perhaps wearing a mask for an hour or two while gambling isn’t the worst thing, but if you’ve ever had to wear one for 4+ hours during a work shift, you should know how precious breathing clean, humid-less air suddenly becomes. 

The Westgate hotel-casino is up first to reinforce the mask policy, and is doing so to keep COVID from spreading. MGM grand and some other hotel-casino facilities are following along in hopes to provide a safer environment to guests. However, the guests won’t have to wear them unless they choose to do so, in which case casinos will offer complimentary masks upon entrance. Simply imagine the ratio of guests to casino workers at a moderately busy facility. Visitors most definitely outnumber the amount of employees by a mile. And if half of the visitors don’t wear the masks anyway - what exactly is the point? 

Not to forget the famous statement made by president Biden, “Get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do”. Seems like that mild threat was somewhat baseless, and masks will be forced in some facilities regardless of how many get vaxed.  

Las Vegas Sands made the following statement:

“In response to new recommendations from the Southern Nevada Health District, we now require that all Team Members (vaccinated or not) wear company-issued face masks while working in indoor public spaces, and in indoor areas where people congregate. In addition, we have revised our signs posted at public entrances to share this new SNHD recommendation. Complimentary face masks are available to our guests at Front Desks, Grazie Desks, and Concierge Desks.”

Health officials continue expressing their concerns about the number of hospitalized patients with COVID across some states - Los Angeles County took it even a step further by reinstating mask requirements and advising people not to travel to Nevada or other states that have growing COVID numbers at all. 

Despite the overwhelming survival percentage among those infected with COVID, fear of this virus continues tightening its grip on people. However, some facilities are continuously pushing back against it, and fighting for normalcy to take the reins once again. Circa hotel-casino and The D Las Vegas, for example, stated that they are not changing their policy at this time. 

The Southern Nevada Health District wants vaccinated people to wear masks in crowded indoor public places to protect themselves against those who are not fully vaccinated. This sentence makes less and less sense the more you read it.