"On average, people infected with the delta variant had about 1,000 times more copies of the virus in their respiratory tracts than those infected with the original strain of the coronavirus, the study reported." - NPR

Tennessee reported 356 cases in its last week of June and 12,765 cases in its last week of July, resulting in a 3,486% increase. In California, cases were up 1,078%. And in Louisiana, cases were up 1,043% but on a per-person basis, the state is reporting cases more than 10 times faster than nine different states. - USA Today

Here's what we know:

• The CDC says the Delta Variant is more contagious than the common cold and influenza, as well as the viruses that cause Ebola, smallpox, MERS, and SARS, Ebola.

• Where the CDC recommends masking up - MAP.

• Florida COVID cases and hospitalizations break records since the beginning of the pandemic.

• Tokyo reaches an all-time high in cases during the Olympics, including 18 participants who have tested positive.

• Schools are reopening, despite COVID surges - some are requiring masks, some are not.

Blue Bear Protection will continue to monitor what experts are saying, and are ready to be your go-to mask source should things regress. We are in this together, and let's keep each other safe!