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Bullock: masks now mandatory

The order, effective immediately, applies to indoor public spaces in any Montana county with more than four active COVID-19 cases, and to some outdoor gatherings.

Gov. Steve Bullock today said he’s requiring mask wearing for many Montanans to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases continues to surge and the state grapples with a new problem of limited testing capacity.  Bullock acknowledged at a Wednesday press conference that efforts to convince Montanans to voluntarily wear cloth masks in indoor spaces — which health officials say reduces the chance of viral transmission from the wearer to others — have been unsuccessful. […]

Recovered to death?

Scientists established a grizzly bear mortality rate that allows for a stable population of the threatened species. Wildlife managers are increasingly exceeding it.

Grizzly bears have been dying in record numbers in recent years, the result of increased conflicts with livestock, homes and other human-dominated sites. In four of the past five years, more bears were killed than is optimal for population stability, according to federal data. Almost every single death is related to human causes. […]

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Montana coronavirus report

As of Wednesday, July 15, Montana reports a total of 2,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 145 new cases since yesterday, 1,147 active cases, and 34 deaths from the disease. State officials also report that 145 of the cases have resulted in hospitalizations, with 37 patients currently hospitalized, and 915 patients considered recovered. […]

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