CDC Guidance on Masks Changes Causing Confusion
The CDC recently released new guidance about mask-wearing saying that people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks in most situations. According to changes listed on the CDC website, as of May 13, 2021, “Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is minimal for fully vaccinated people. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from fully vaccinated people to unvaccinated people is also reduced. Therefore, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Fully vaccinated people should also continue to wear well-fitted masks in correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Prevention measures are still recommended for unvaccinated people.” Also, according to the CDC website, “people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).” However, the guidance to follow the rules in your local area has not been publicized as much, causing confusion because each state has its own rules regarding mask-wearing.
Some people are excited about the mask mandate being lifted, while others are concerned, especially frontline workers and parents of young children who cannot be vaccinated. Aubrielle Whitis, 23, a vaccinated barista, is worried about the new guidance that has been released. “I’m worried that people who aren’t vaccinated will take it as a pass not to wear their mask. I feel pretty safe being vaccinated, but it’s more of a risk with the possibility of variants,” Whitis said.
Rod Ambrogi at Al’s Café in Pittsburgh was happy to tell his staff that they no longer needed to wear masks at work if they are fully vaccinated. Al’s Café had been cited by the county health department back in December because they were still selling meals indoors despite the governor’s shutdown orders. Ambrogi does not plan to get vaccinated. Before the guidance was released, he only wore a mask in the public areas of his restaurant. He believes that he had a mild case of COVID-19 a few months ago, but he was never tested. He believes that he is immune. “I never did believe in masks,” he said. Ambrogi, 74, says that he understood having restrictions during the first few months of the pandemic, but that it is time to move forward. “I’ve been done with this coronavirus for the past few months. It’s behind us right now,” Ambrogi said. Ambrogi says that the guidance released by the CDC is causing confusion because state guidelines differ. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf says that he will be lifting all capacity restrictions on Memorial Day but will be keeping the mask mandate in place until at least 70 percent of eligible people are vaccinated. According to Ambrogi, “As it is right now, should we wear masks, or shouldn’t we? The president says we don’t; Rite Aid or Giant Eagle says we do.”
Jorge Guzman, a James Beard award-nominated chef who owns and operates Petite León in South Minneapolis, says that he is not surprised about all the mixed messages. “It’s been like that from the beginning,” he said. “One minute it’s this, the next minute it’s that. . . . You get tons of conflicting messages, and then all of the sudden one day without notice, no more mask.”
The new CDC guidelines will help increase an already expected surge in travel over the summer, with many people wanting to travel since many people’s travel plans were canceled or delayed in 2020. Disney chief executive Bob Chapek said that Disney World in Florida is expecting an increase in the number of visitors and is planning to lift its mask mandate throughout the park. Disneyland in California will still be under a mask mandate according to the state’s rules.
Each state will handle the CDC’s guidance differently, which will lead to more confusion as each state has its own rules.
