CDC Announces Fully Vaccinated People Can Go Mask Free
The US Director of the Center for Disease Control updated COVID-19 guidelines, which now states fully vaccinated people do not have to wear masks or practice social distancing. Masks will only be required in circumstances that state they would they have to. The new CDC guidelines came in early May 13, as Dr.Rochelle Walensky, appointed CDC director said in a White House COVID-19 briefing “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
As the briefing continued, Walensky made it clear that fully vaccinated people are allowed to participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small without worrying about wearing a mask or social distancing.
Calling it an “exciting and powerful moment”, Walensky says that science shows that the 3 available vaccines are effective in lowering cases and preventing the spread of other COVID-19 variants. “Based on the continuing downward trajectory of cases, the scientific data on the performance of our vaccines, and our understanding of how the virus spreads, that moment has come for those who are fully vaccinated,” stated Walenksey. Americans also received the same message from the Biden Administration today, as further assurance that fully vaccinated people able to be more relaxed about COVID-19 preventive measures.
The briefing cites 3 studies all published quite recently. The first comes from Israel and was published in the Journal of American Medical Association or JAMA; which, showed 97% effectiveness in symptomatic and 86% in asymptotic cases across 5,000 healthcare workers. The following studies both were published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality weekly report which showed 90% effectiveness in cases of COVID, as well as proving to be 94% in preventing hospitalizations if contracting the virus.
Although with this new data and guidelines, it is also still required for anyone fully vaccinated or not, to continue wearing their mask in the workplace as well as in “federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance”, as stated on the CDC’s website. Mask mandates in these locations, will need to be followed, as they do still help lower case numbers. People are also still required to protect themselves and others if traveling via plane, bus, or other forms of public transportation.
Dr.Walensky continued her announcement addressing those who are immune-compromised and are fully vaccinated, stating they should still check with their doctors before giving up their masks. Healthcare facilities are another place where proper COVID-19 measures will still be followed.
The briefing finished with Walensky reminding people Americans that the COVID-19 virus has proven to be unpredictable, and guidelines could be adjusted if cases were to spike again.
As new COVID-19 information becomes available and more people become fully vaccinated, life during and after this pandemic should hopefully start to look up. For any concerns or questions about the virus and the vaccines available, you are encouraged to check out the CDC’s website.
