Hooray! I got vaccinated so now I don't need to wear a mask!

[Towlie]

Okay, I lied. I didn't really get vaccinated yet, but I'm concerned that we'll soon be hearing the above a lot and I'm afraid it's going to cause big problems.

A Google search for After I get the COVID-19 vaccine will I still need to wear a mask? returns this:

COVID-19 alert
Common question
Do I need to wear a mask when I receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. CDC recommends that during the pandemic people wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth when in contact with others outside your household, when in healthcare facilities, and when receiving any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine.

That's kind of a no-brainer, but it's not what I asked! Of course you should wear a mask when you go to get the vaccine, but I want to know if I'll need to wear one after I've been vaccinated.

I tried Will I still need to wear a mask after I get the COVID-19 vaccine? and got the same result.

Then I tried Will I still have to wear a mask after I'm vaccinated? and finally got a different "common question":

COVID-19 alert
Common question
Do you still have to wear a mask after vaccine?

The vaccine will protect you from getting ill and then ending up hospitalized. But it's possible that you could still carry the virus and be contagious to others. So those who get the vaccine should still be wearing masks and practicing physical distancing.

That's what I'm afraid people won't know, and it might cause a worse surge next year due to people who either

1. have received the vaccine and genuinely think they don't need masks anymore, or

2. are lying Trumpers who simply don't believe the science and falsely claim they've gotten the vaccine as a way of avoiding hassle for not wearing a mask.

So in addition to the expected surge from holiday celebrations, I'm afraid that this might be yet another reason that this is going to be a very bad winter.

So brace yourself.

[kcr]

1. I don't understand

The very first time you asked the question you were told that yes, you still have to wear a mask.

[Hugin]

2. The guidelines don't go away after a person has been vaccinated.

The protocols will be lifted when the infection rates fall below a pre-defined level. The protocols are designed to reduce the spread of the disease. Particularly, to those who are the most vulnerable.

After a vaccination nothing changes except an individual's chances of contracting a lethal level of the COVID virus.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Not sure what is unclear about "yes."

Aside from the question of potentially spreading the virus, even though you don't get sick from it:

1. You might be in the 5% who don't develop immunity
2. Your immunity will almost certainly wear off - and may well wear off more quickly that vaccines we are already familiar with, since (1) we aren't even sure that antibodies prevent re-infection (some re-infections have been documented and (2) it uses a different, brand new, technology that might not be as effective for creating long-term immunity.

[stopdiggin]

7. so you're saying plan on wearing a mask until

we all go under the ground. (cause the virus is going to be with us ..) What a cheery prospect!

[Ms. Toad]

8. Time will give us some of the answers -

Like whether being vaccinated prevents you from transmitting it, whether the antibodies really do create immunity - and how long it lasts.

That will let us vaccinate at appropriate intervals and create herd immunity so that we can (we hope) treat it more like measles or polio within a year or two.

Even though it seems like forever, it's been just about 1 year since this virus was identified. That's a microsecond in the lfe cycle of a virus. A polio vaccine took 2 decades - and we already have two vaccines that appear to be effective with others in the pipeline.

[stopdiggin]

12. yes, I was being (unnecessarily) flippant

Your scenario is quite likely. And, while no fun -- not nearly as grim as it might be.

[JT45242]

4. No one has gotten the full vaccine yet ...

It will be a month before front line health care workers get the second dose.

Anyone claiming that they don't need to wear a mask because they got the vaccine is lying

[comradebillyboy]

5. I just signed up on the NM Dept. of Health web site

to schedule an appointment for the shots. I have no idea when I will actually get vaccinated.

For my fellow New Mexicans:

https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/

[stopdiggin]

6. Thanks. Envisioning exactly the same scenario!

And -- since compliance is pretty half-hearted anyway -- complete with people going to lengths to
lie about disability status, and supposed exemption (also a lie) ----

It's gonna' be a mess! But -- good people will keep try to do the right thing -- and the "panzees" will probably continue to show us how "Murican" they are. Sigh.

[applegrove]

9. They do not know if people with the vaccine and booster who have waited 7 days

can spread covid asymptomatically. Remember covid has spread asymptomatically from the start. Just the fact you are protected from being sick does not mean you will not spread it. So far they know that it just stops 95% of people from developing symptoms or deloping severe sickness. They know no more than that.

[Worried2020]

10. I'd continue wearing a mask even after vaccination

.
.

even if it's just to avoid others thinking I'm anti-masker, which I certainly am not.

Besides, these vaccines have a long way to go to be "proven" as effective.

or even safe - complications are already becoming a concern . . .

My Province (Ontario) is going into full lockdown - yeah the whole Province after Xmas.

So we're a long way from having a handle on this . . .

(sigh)

W

[diva77]

11. I urge you to change the title of your post - it could lead to dangerous behavior

Perhaps an alternative title could be:

“Keep wearing a mask even after you are vaccinated”