The Missoula City-County Health Department announced that they will honor Missoula County residents who have lost their lives to COVID-19 with a moment of silence, and with most anything, it has drawn mixed reactions on social media.

This past Tuesday, the 100th resident lost their life to the virus, prompting recognition with a moment of silence. According to the Health Department, it was an older man, and they offered their condolences to all families who have been affected by the loss of a loved one to the virus.

If you'd like to participate in the moment of silence, it will take place today, Thursday, July 29th, in the Sophie Moiese Room at the Missoula Courthouse. The moment of silence will happen at 2 p.m., before the County commissioner's public meeting and will be lead by new Health Officer D'Shane Barnett. All are welcome to participate by joining the meeting, or you can take part independently wherever you may be today at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, masks are making a return as the number of new COVID cases in Montana are reaching numbers equal to those reported this past February. On Wednesday, July 28th, 231 new cases were reported. Across the country, hospitals are once again becoming overwhelmed with patients testing positive and battling different variations of the coronavirus. Students kindergarten through 12th grade will be required to mask up this fall, and federal employees may be required to wear masks at work again, as well. In speaking with different friends and associates over the last couple of days, it sounds like many businesses around Missoula are requiring masks again. The Missoula County Health Department is currently urging residents to start wearing masks in public again.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

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