CDC says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need masks indoors or outdoors in most cases
Source: Washington Post
Americans who are fully vaccinated can go without masks or physical distancing in most cases, even when they are indoors or in large groups, federal officials said Thursday, paving the way for a full reopening of society. The change represents a huge shift symbolically and practically for pandemic-weary Americans, millions of whom have lived with the restrictions for more than a year. A growing number have complained they cannot do more even after being fully vaccinated and criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of being overly cautious. More than 117 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, or about 35 percent of the population.
CDC officials cited a growing body of real-world evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines and noted the shots offer protection even against more contagious variants circulating in the United States. They said they also factored in the countrys declining cases, and the rarity of breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated. Nonetheless, officials cautioned the guidelines could change again if the pandemic should worsen. The relaxation of restrictions does not apply to airplanes or health-care settings. Officials also noted that some occupational settings may still require masks. They urged those who are immune-compromised to speak with their doctors before giving up their masks.
The guidance means that millions of fully vaccinated Americans can begin returning to pre-pandemic activities, including school and work, that they have largely eschewed since last March. The country is seeing the lowest number of new daily cases it has had in eight months, and deaths have decreased from a high of about 3,000 per day in January to about 600 per day now, as many of the most vulnerable, including the elderly, have been inoculated.
This is a day that I think will be marked as a true turning point in the pandemic in the United States in that we have three vaccines that are highly effective, we have enough vaccines for everyone in our country whos 12 years and older to get vaccinated who wants it, and were being told that it is safe to roll back a number of the measures that weve come to rely on for controlling this pandemic, said Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC and president and chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The idea that people who are fully vaccinated can take off their masks, can go outside, can go inside, be around people and not have to worry about covid anymore, thats absolutely huge, Besser said.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/05/13/cdc-says-fully-vaccinated-americans-no-longer-need-masks-indoors-or-outdoors-most-cases/
Note there are still all kinds of "caveats" to this.
They are getting yanked back and forth and it is just a shame.
NYC Liberal
(20,135 posts)FakeNoose
(32,577 posts)Hopefully it will happen this summer, before the next school year resumes.
AllaN01Bear
(17,982 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Siwsan
(26,248 posts)I'm far too worried about these variants coming out of India.
I don't mind wearing them especially when you are smothered by people.
Tess49
(1,579 posts)IcyPeas
(21,841 posts)I'll keep wearing my mask when in stores or near groups of people though.
ailsagirl
(22,885 posts)Same here
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)3catwoman3
(23,944 posts)...administration because I didnt want to signal that I might be a Republican.
3catwoman3
(23,944 posts)...to believe that they are immunized if they are not wearing masks. The mask holes and anti-vaxxers will use this as an opportunity to stop masking.
underpants
(182,603 posts)I just wanted to say that because you wont hear it in the media.
Well okay then. If vaccinated so that means all the morons who refused to get vaccinated get a pass I guess.
jimfields33
(15,678 posts)I wish they waited until September to do this. I guess well see how it turns out. But on vaccinations, President Biden is doing an incredible job!
DippyDem
(659 posts)even tho I'm fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine in public spaces. With all the mask wearing and hand washing last winter, there were virtually no flu sickness anywhere! Plus I don't want to go around looking like a Republican! LOL!
50 Shades Of Blue
(9,919 posts)COL Mustard
(5,869 posts)Welcome!
brush
(53,740 posts)Unwind Your Mind
(2,041 posts)Were socializing at home with other vaccinated people but otherwise go on as before
Bleacher Creature
(11,250 posts)forthemiddle
(1,375 posts)I wonder if establishments will follow the guidelines, or will they err on the side of caution?
I know that if a place doesnt require them, I wont be wearing them!
durablend
(7,455 posts)Vaccinated or not. Pretty much can guarantee that.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)I'm fully vaccinated but need a mask for public transit, medical offices, grocery, and stores like Target.
Guess I don't need one to take out my trash or get the mail.
Rhiannon12866
(204,702 posts)The only place where it's not required is when I'm out by myself with my dog in the yard. And in public places, there's no way of knowing who's vaccinated or not. Also, Bill Maher just tested positive and he was vaccinated, his show is canceled for this week.
Shanti Shanti Shanti
(12,047 posts)aggiesal
(8,907 posts)Until we reach those levels, I will not take off my mask and will continue to social distance myself.
And those people who don't wear masks and are not vaccinated, the virus will eventually find you,
and procreate.
This is way too early to make this call.
CDC is trying to make up for their lapse under Pendejo45's administration.
Ace Rothstein
(3,141 posts)It was almost impossible to get a test back then unless you were on your deathbed.
aggiesal
(8,907 posts)but there are no numbers to compare against.
There are numbers to compare against with 7-day trends in infections, hospitalizations & deaths.
Until those numbers fall below the 3/17/2020 numbers when we, in California, were asked to
shelter at home, I will not take off my mask.
The zipcode that I live in, has the 2nd highest covid cases in San Diego County.
The top 5 zipcodes are all around me. So I'm very aware of the numbers and I
believe this call is being made way too early.
brush
(53,740 posts)aggiesal
(8,907 posts)spraying your drink and damaging your keyboard.
Maybe next time.
brush
(53,740 posts)C_U_L8R
(44,986 posts)I'm gonna keep wearing it out of respect for others (and just in case). At least until things are really in the clear.
nitpicker
(7,153 posts)(1) As the fully vaccinated rush into crowds 30 minutes after getting the last shot:
(2) As the newly vaccinated rush into crowds 30 minutes after getting the first/only shot
because "I'm protected".
It takes time (estimated 2 weeks) before the full benefits of the shot manifest, and a few get low protection levels.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,321 posts)Unvaccinated anti-vaxxers, often of the right-wing variety, have been going maskless anyway. So now, they can go unmasked and unchallenged. I expect to see very few masks from now on, though only half of us are fully vaccinated.
CDC might as well just say "nobody has to wear a mask, period".
cinematicdiversions
(1,969 posts)That is what they are saying. If the non-vaccinated, non mask wearers get sick as a result that is on them.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,321 posts)I don't like my uncaring attitude, maybe I'm just tired of the pandemic, tired of stupid excuses for not getting vaccinated.
And, yes, I know there are a few who have good medical reason for avoiding the vaccine. If one of them catches it, my sympathy is on full blast. For those few.
KatyBR
(183 posts)The average Joe reading about India's COVID decimation can't help but think India is in the position Wuhan was last January.
Do they think that variant is NOT coming across the ocean?
I had a neighbor three weeks ago who was vaccinated, as was his brother and his dad and mom. The brother worked in a warehouse. He, his brother, his mom and data, all got COVID (they think from the warehouse working brother). My neighbor brought it home unknowingly after helping his dad to the hospital. His wife and both kids (12,14) all got COVID.
So this advice to forget about your mask when you've been vaccinated is horribly irresponsible. We the vaccinated can definitely give it to each other. Wear your mask. keep 6 feet distant when you can.
Ace Rothstein
(3,141 posts)JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,321 posts)It's available now for all of them. It's been available for his wife for a while.
Leave the mask. Take the shots.
yaesu
(8,020 posts)Botany
(70,447 posts)... be receptive to or transmit the virus.
Less than 5 total months and look at what Joe has done by listening to "the experts and science."
Very soon if you want to go to a football game, work, a restaurant, Canada, or get on a plane, train, bus
or a ship you will have to show proof of being vaccinated.
Trueblue1968
(17,192 posts)bdamomma
(63,794 posts)I said the same thing how do you know, the ones that were vaccinated??? I'll still wear a mask.
jovibennett
(120 posts)to many unvaccinated people will say they are. It will catch up to them at some point. I'm not ready to make this jump yet. I work with a staff that doesn't believe in vaccines so there's that and I live in Florida where the cases are going up
aggiesal
(8,907 posts)How about those non-Americans and un-Americans?
They still need to mask-up?
Just highlighting a poorly written announcement, although I don't mind un-Americans still masking up.
littlemissmartypants
(22,548 posts)I am wondering if this is, maybe in part, an attempt to make vaccine hesitant individuals get vaccinated, so they can do without a mask. I don't know if that makes sense or not. I will continue to wear mine. I've learned that you can't trust anyone else in the world. It makes me really sad.
bdamomma
(63,794 posts)is correct, there are many selfish, misinformed people. I think it's too soon, also we will never have herd immunity, we will still have people dying. If a booster is needed, I'll take it.
littlemissmartypants
(22,548 posts)How can we be sure we don't need masks?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/12/nation/heres-what-moderna-executive-said-about-possibility-covid-19-booster-shot/
Modernas chief executive on Wednesday discussed the biotechs progress in developing a booster shot against COVID-19 variants, saying the company hopes to have authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on one of three booster strategies by the end of the summer or early fall.
Blasphemer
(3,261 posts)I think this was the right call. I think the data we have so far on transmission among the vaccinated supports the decision. But, more than that, I suspect this policy change is calculated to encourage vaccination uptake.
Roc2020
(1,613 posts)going to wear my mask and avoid any indoor crowds.
IronLionZion
(45,380 posts)and then we'll have herd immunity through a combination of vaccinated and people who were infected.
The wild cards are of course variants and anyone who can't get vaccinated yet because reasons like medical conditions or whatever.
I live in a city and will continue to wear masks indoors around people.
RVN VET71
(2,689 posts)It means that all you have to do to go maskless is -- if challenged (and you probably wont be -- claim youve been vaccinated. Which means a lot of un-vaccinated people will just pretend and, thus, put at risk other people.
Id prefer a more conservative rule. But then who am I? (Ive been vaccinated, but my immune compromised son and my frail daughter law have not yet had that pleasure. Id like a rule that guarantees them some protection.)
Yavin4
(35,421 posts)If you're not vaccinated, then yes, you are taking a huge risk much like smoking cigarettes. Your son and daughter in law should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Yavin4
(35,421 posts)The next step is that health insurance companies will require the vaccine as a requirement for coverage. And hospitals will begin charging you for non-vaccinated, COVID-19 treatment.
You may have a choice to not get the vaccine, but just like smoking, you will have to pay for any treatment related to your choice.
LisaL
(44,972 posts)I think this is a really bad decision.
Yavin4
(35,421 posts)Government cannot mandate that people wear masks and socially distance indefinitely. We have to get back to normal after more than a year.
Not getting vaccinated is like smoking cigarettes. You know the health risks.
yaesu
(8,020 posts)be looked upon as outsiders, even Biden just stated that people should be patient with those who choose to continue mask wearing like WTF!!!
Karma13612
(4,541 posts)Who is fully vaccinated as of the end of March, and an eyeglass wearer, I am going to go maskless in certain indoor situations. I always have my vaccine card with me and will be happy to show it on request. As I said, I will do this in certain circumstances like when I am trying to read something and my glasses are fogging to the point that I cant see anything. I pinch the mask over the bridge of my nose, I attempt to get my glasses to rest over the top of the mask (cant because the height of my glasses is too short), and I have used special lens cleaning clothes to reduce fog: all to no avail.
So, phase 2 has begun at least for those of us who are vaccinated. We live in a rural area (NY-21 near the Canadian border) and we just dont have the population density they many DUers face. So, I think cautious optimism is in order!!
LisaL
(44,972 posts)Anti-maskers could just lie and claim they are vaccinated.
Does anybody think otherwise?
VarryOn
(2,343 posts)I'm not going to worry if some maskless chump next to me in the check-out line is vaccinated.
FlyingPiggy
(3,376 posts)I don't care what people think. It helps me with my allergies as well. And in the fall/winter, I will be wearing masks bc I am not going to get the "viral crud" that goes around every year. No thanks. These masks work for me as I see fit. Maybe not in the summer, though.
Crowman2009
(2,490 posts)bdamomma
(63,794 posts)right wearing masks keep flu illnesses down, and it worked.
HUAJIAO
(2,379 posts)I don;t even know where to begin !!!
Many here have already posted their concerns.
It's just stupid!!!!
Crowman2009
(2,490 posts)During my life I've had pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, the flu, survived rocket attacks in Iraq, bicycle collisions, and other near-death experiences. So I'll be damned if I'm gonna take my mask off when there are fuckin' idiots who don't give a damn about the health of other people because they believe some BS they saw posted by some random con-man/nutjob on social media.
IbogaProject
(2,786 posts)This is good advice only for situations where contact tracing is possible. As we won't know about the new variants and their possible spread.
I'm staying masked anywhere I am unsure of being able to know where an infection came from.
bucolic_frolic
(43,044 posts)so they'll either feel pressed to comply, or .... well, you get the idea.
BumRushDaShow
(128,436 posts)is the fact that these vaccines are only being given under the provisions of an EUA vs being officially "fully approved". Many places around the country, including here in Philly, have run into some of the most critical "front line" workers - hospital staff and long-term care providers, as well as police/fire fighters, and even some teachers, who have refused to be vaccinated - many claiming it is specifically because of that issue. In fact the numbers I've seen bandied about is that fully 1/2 of workers in those occupations have refused the vaccine, and they were at or near the front of the line to get the shots initially, alongside the over 75s, back this past December/January.
bucolic_frolic
(43,044 posts)Corroborated in my hospital volunteer work. That resistance presented some early unexpected openings to those willing to go for it, and recently I saw workers still not vaccinated.