Credit: spurekar
The White House COVID-19 Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday afternoon that they are easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for those who are fully vaccinated.
CDC officials said they will discontinue recommending fully-vaccinated Americans wear masks and remain physically distant in most cases indoors and outdoors, including while among crowds, according to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
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The move came after consultation with health experts and reviews of studies and other data relating to infections and vaccine effectiveness.
Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam said in a statement Pennsylvania will follow the CDC’s guidance.
“Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing,” Walensky said. “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
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“We have all longed for this moment,” she added.
The government will continue to recommend all Americans wear masks in crowded indoor places like on planes, trains, buses, and their stations. Walensky said hospitals and similar facilities will be still be advised to have their own infection control plans.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s top COVID-19 medical advisor, said it may take people some time to adjust to not having to wear a mask.
Walensky explained the dropping number of cases and increasing vaccinations led to Thursday’s change in guidance.
“The more people are vaccinated the less cases we will have,” she said.
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“Today’s guidance from the CDC affects only people who are fully vaccinated” Beam said stressed to Pennsylvanians. “This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available.”
The CDC director encouraged people to go to vaccine.gov so they can get inoculated.
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Pennsylvania will keep its masking order but only for people who are unvaccinated. The order will cease once 70 percent of people age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
More than 35 percent of Americans have been fully vaccinated and nearly 47 percent of Pennsylvanians are fully vaccinated.
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It’s not possible to get COVID-19 from the authorized vaccines. Studies have shown the three approved COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing the disease that often comes with the novel coronavirus.
The news on easing mask guidance is a welcome development for the many Americans who have stepped up to become vaccinated.
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One lingering question will be how a business will be able to determine if someone is fully vaccinated, which comes two weeks after receiving a final dose.
Walensky said people who are not yet vaccinated should continue to wear masks and those in high risk groups should consult their doctor.
In answering questions from reporters, Walensky said people who are not vaccinated should still get the vaccine.
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The CDC change in guidance was not due to pressure to ease masking advice in recent weeks, Walensky rebutted when asked.
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