NYT: Here's why vaccinated people still need to wear a mask

[FakeNoose]

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/health/covid-vaccine-mask.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Health

By Apoorva Mandavilli
Dec. 8, 2020, 5:00 a.m. ET
The new Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna seem to be remarkably good at preventing serious illness. But it’s unclear how well they will curb the spread of the coronavirus.

That’s because the Pfizer and Moderna trials tracked only how many vaccinated people became sick with Covid-19. That leaves open the possibility that some vaccinated people get infected without developing symptoms, and could then silently transmit the virus — especially if they come in close contact with others or stop wearing masks. If vaccinated people are silent spreaders of the virus, they may keep it circulating in their communities, putting unvaccinated people at risk.

“A lot of people are thinking that once they get vaccinated, they’re not going to have to wear masks anymore,” said Michal Tal, an immunologist at Stanford University. “It’s really going to be critical for them to know if they have to keep wearing masks, because they could still be contagious.”

- snip -

Only people who have virus teeming in their nose and throat would be expected to transmit the virus, and the lack of symptoms in the immunized people who became infected suggests that the vaccine may have kept the virus levels in check.

But some studies have suggested that even people with no symptoms can have high amounts of coronavirus in their nose, noted Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, who represents the American Academy of Pediatrics at meetings of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The first person confirmed to be reinfected with the coronavirus, a 33-year-old man in Hong Kong, also did not have symptoms, but harbored enough virus to infect others.

Edit to add: much more at link. Please see article it's quite informative.

This needs to be repeated everywhere ... Don't throw away your masks once you've been vaccinated!

[Rorey]

1. Thanks for posting that, and let's not forget the vaccines aren't 100%

I'll be wearing masks for quite awhile.

[underpants]

4. I think masks will be a new standard

Like travel coffee mugs let alone cell phones. Not too long ago someone with either of those would have looked totally out of the norm. Wearing yoga pants too. Trying to think of examples.

[LymphocyteLover]

16. yes, certainly until we get 70% of people vaccinated and the virus starts dying down

[ramblin_dave]

2. Some people who have not been vaccinated will claim they have been...

so they don't have to wear masks. You know they will. Everyone should maintain mitigation measures until enough have been vaccinated to get the infection rate down.

[Rorey]

7. I'm sure you're right

[janterry]

3. I wear a mask so that others will also wear one

If some stopped, it would encourage people to give up the practice.

Until we are in the clear - I wear a KN95 when I'm out.

[spinbaby]

12. +1

Common courtesy should have everyone wearing masks until the virus is under control.

[roamer65]

5. ..

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=14638585

[mr_lebowski]

6. Sadly I just gotta say ... good luck with that ... (nt)

[Silent3]

8. I'm so far down on the vaccination priority list...

...that by time I can get vaccinated, the data should be available.

I'll definitely wait for the data too. But it would seem very strange if somehow the vaccine merely converted you into an asymptomatic carrier of the virus rather than eliminating or greatly reducing the viral load that you're carrying around with you.

Or that the vaccine does greatly reduce your viral load, but somehow whatever load you're carrying is highly concentrated in your sinuses so you spread it just like a fully infected person.

I think the main value of masks after you're vaccinated is simply providing a good example, and making mask rules for everyone who still needs them easier to enforce.

[FakeNoose]

9. The article explains it

It's possible that we could be carrying the coronavirus around inside our noses, even if the vaccine prevents us from "getting" Covid. Having the antibodies inside of me is great, but it only saves me. I could still be giving it to you, and maybe you haven't been vaccinated.

[Silent3]

10. The article also says...

Still, he and other experts said they were optimistic that the vaccines would suppress the virus enough even in the nose and throat to prevent immunized people from spreading it to others.

So, yes, I definitely understand it's best to err on the side of caution, but I still think it would be weird for so much virus to hang out in your nose while the rest of you remains healthy.

[FakeNoose]

11. There hasn't been enough time to gather all the data

... or test all the theories. The antibodies from the vaccine will protect our throat and lungs. They know that already, but what they don't know is whether the virus we breathe into our nose will just hang there or get killed off. Studies still need to be done for a longer timeframe.

[RobinA]

13. So Let Me Get This Straight

Not getting a flu shot every year is a crime against humanity because if we don't and get sick we will spread the flu to those who can't get a shot, immunosuppressed, elderly, etc.

But even if I get the COVID vaccine I still have to wear a mask and socially distance because the vaccine may not have an effect on ability to spread the virus.

It's a mystery to me why so many people don't believe what gets passed from official channels masquerading as science.

[rickyhall]

14. When Mr. B. tells me I can drop the mask, I'll drop the mask.

[Mosby]

15. I'm quiting the mask asap.

If the vaccine prevents mass replication in the body how can it spread?

They need to get this nailed down.

[bucolic_frolic]

17. 95% effective

you mean that last 5% will keep us masked indefinitely?

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. This should go over well with the anti-maskers

[BGBD]

19. For a time

With an effective vaccine we will achieve herd immunity if enough people get vaccinated. I won't wear one beyond that point. Once everyone has had an opportunity to be vaccinated and chosen not to I am not going out of my way to help keep them safe.

Data shows these shots are very good and almost if not completely effective at preventing severe illness. Once everyone has had the opportunity to take a vaccine and enough do then it isn't a public health issue any longer and I do not have any obligation to protect the ones who didn't get it by choice.