(CNN) Local health officials in the United States are worried about another rise in anti-mask protests -- and their safety. In cities and counties where there has been ongoing debate around mask mandates in public schools, several local health officials have reported again being intimidated by or receiving threats from anti-maskers, Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive officer of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), told CNN on Wednesday. As a return to school gets underway, "these are heated conversations sometimes that are turning nasty and out of control," Freeman said. Throughout the pandemic, public health officers have reported receiving death threats and harassment in response to their recommendations to wear masks and follow certain Covid-19 mitigation measures. And in Washington state, Okanogan County community health director Lauri Jones installed a new security system and asked for police patrols around her home following repeated online threats.

Source: CNN August 04, 2021 19:07 UTC