As COVID-19 cases surge once again, Baltimore County has declared a state of emergency and reinstated an indoor mask mandate to prevent the spread of the virus. The mandate will take effect tomorrow morning at nine o-clock. It will apply to everyone five years of age and older in restaurants and food establishments, retail stores, places of worships or anyplace that serves the public. The Baltimore County Council must vote on whether it’s extended until the end of January. They’re scheduled to take up the vote at their next meeting January third. Maryland’s seven-day average positivity rate is almost 16 percent — currently it’s 15-point-85 percent.