I Think This New 'No Mask Needed If Vaccinated' Decision Is Too Premature.....

[global1]

I believe the CDC should have waited for 2 weeks past the Memorial Day Holiday to make this decision.

Here's why:

We've been here before. We've relaxed some restrictions only to see a surge in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

We know that Memorial Day is typically considered the start of summer. We know that a lot of people will be traveling, meeting with friends and family, having picnics and BBQ's.

If we can make it 2 weeks past the Memorial Day holiday without any unusual surges - I'd feel better about these new mask relaxations.

So right now - I think it is premature on their part to do this. After the Holiday I believe it would have been better timing. Heck - it's only another couple of weeks.

As for me - when we go shopping - I'll still be wearing my mask. Cause it will even be harder to determine who is vaccinated and who isn't if no one is wearing masks. I also won't be eating at any restaurants in the near future either and I'll still be social distancing.

We've come this far and things are looking up as the U.S. population gets vaccinated and closer and closer to 'herd immunity'.

It would be terrible - if we get all excited by the CDC's new mask decisions - and a post-Memorial Day surge occurs and we have to pull back.

I'm high risk and even though I'm vaccinated - I'm still playing this cautiously - until I assess the situation about 2 weeks after Memorial Day.

[marie999]

1. Even if you have been vaccinated and would only get a little sick at most,

are you around any children who are too young to be vaccinated? Wear a mask.

[fescuerescue]

2. I don't think people are paying attention to the CDC much now

Especially on things like outdoor BBQs.

Just the other day they said "you can go outside without a mask now".

Thanks Dr Obvious!

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. I think people here in KCMO are just about to go back

to normal. No masks. Things are already really loosening up here. You can tell.

[JoanofArgh]

4. England's on lockdown again due to

the Indian variant. It’ll be here.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. Yes. And read we can't really keep accurate count of variants

Here because you have to sequence to find and costs more and takes longer. So private labs aren't bothering

[jaxexpat]

5. Tend to agree.

Seems as if CDC has decided to let the 30% who are okay with half a million casualties decide for the rest of us. Similar to ww1 generals who decided that if the troops didn't seem to kind 60% casualties they'd just send them over the top again.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. I agree. In a perfect world, things like distancing and masks would not be abandoned...

until it is proven safe.

However, decisions are not made entirely upon science, and have to take into account the grumblings of the people. The people are grumbling mightily about Covid precautions, and at this point mass disobedience threatens if restrictions go too far into the future.

The default should be what is best for our health. It is now closer to what the population will put up with.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

7. Post your public health bonafides and lets compare them to Rochelle Walensky.

Stop playing armchair epidemiologist.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Rude

[ForgoTheConsequence]

13. Not rude at all.

Through this whole pandemic, the narrative has been "trust the experts", I trust the experts, and the Biden administration.

Not a random person's gut instinct.


By the way, it's rude to imply that the Biden administration and Democrats are doing this to placate people and are willingly putting people at risk to score political points.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

17. This has bothered me over the past day

The people who championed science and criticized those who ignored the CDC recommendations about wearing a mask are now saying "we don't trust science and the CDC" when they say that vaccines are effective.

The point the CDC made is that the vaccine works and you shouldn't worry if you have it. Not that the pandemic is over.
If you are worried about dying of COVID after getting the vaccine, then you don't really believe the vaccine works.

That said... I'm still not 100% comfortable being unmasked in stores and restaurants. In fact going to a restaurant terrifies me.
But at some point we have to trust the experts.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

19. Agreed.

It seems that for some the mask is more of a symbol. You either trust the science (especially now that Biden is in charge) or you don't.

[CrispyQ]

20. But what about the variants? How effective are the vaccines against those?

That's what I'm worried about. And just cuz it's effective against one variant doesn't mean it will be against another. How quickly can they manufacture booster vaccines? I'll be masking for a long, long time.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

25. Honestly, I don't have the background in epidimiology to answer that

But the CDC did say they were not seeing a decrease in effectiveness against variants.

Ultimately, I don't think this change is going to get anti-vaxxers to get the shots. But it is saying that those who have been responsible don't need to be as concerned because the vaccine is protecting them.

Like I said, I'm torn, I trust Biden and I trust the CDC, but I'm still pretty afraid to go places unmasked. I've also enjoyed not being sick for a year, so I'll keep wearing one in flu seasons regardless.

[jimfields33]

14. +1,000,000

[womanofthehills]

9. Ya think? Hello CDC - the More transmittable Indian variants are here

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of the World Health Organization’s coronavirus response, said a study of a limited number of patients, which had not yet been peer-reviewed, suggested that antibodies from vaccines or infections with other variants might not be quite as effective against B.1.617. The agency said, however, that vaccines were likely to remain potent enough to provide protection from serious illness and death. - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/world/uk-covid-india.html

[CrispyQ]

27. Thank you for that! -nt

[PortTack]

10. Agree! I will be wearing my mask. There are lots and lots of ppl that have no intention of getting

The vaccine and will say they are vaccinated just to not wear a mask

[Rorey]

12. I'll continue to err on the side of caution

I agree with everything you said.

I'm plenty worried.

[Kota]

15. I still have to get the second shot, so i'll keep wearing for 4 more weeks.

I think maybe this might encourage some to get the vaccine that were on the fence. And maybe inspire those who won't get it to worry about their own risks since they sure haven't cared about protecting anyone else.

[gratuitous]

16. I've been totally vaccinated

I feel safe enough that we're going to a soccer match at an outdoor stadium this weekend. Seating is spaced, and we'll be wearing masks. I don't think anyone will give us any static, and we're not going to hassle people who choose not to wear masks.

I feel like we're really close to being past most of this, but I'd hate to be the schnook who caught or caused the last infection because I dropped my guard just a little too soon.

[lindysalsagal]

18. Agreed. Trusting that non-vaccinated people are wearing masks is moronic.

I see many wearing them, anyway, and I think I'll keep doing it even though I'm vaxxed. I'd like to avoid a mild case if wearing a mask works. Most stores still post mask requirements at the door.

Then, there are the belo-the-nose idiots> Saw one woman in a grocery store yesterday: She looked smarter than that.

[CrispyQ]

22. This: I'd like to avoid a mild case if wearing a mask works.

I hate being sick. I don't even want to catch a head cold, why would I risk getting something worse? I just don't get the attitude of "as long as it doesn't kill me..."

[Elessar Zappa]

34. Your chances of even getting a mild case

are between 5-10%. Not nothing but it’s enough to convince me I can go maskless when the local mandates end.

[stillcool]

21. My husband just got back from the store...

everyone was wearing a mask. You are not alone. With all that's gone on, our one sense of security has been a mask. Granted, it is for covid, but so much has happened at the same time. It's like a shield, and a tell-tale sign of civility.

[CrispyQ]

23. This: "...a tell-tale sign of civility." -nt

[AZSkiffyGeek]

26. My office just issued new requirements

If vaccinated you don't have to wear one, but you have to have it at all times, and if someone asks you to put one on, you need to out of politeness and respect.

[CrispyQ]

29. Are they verifying if people have been vaccinated or going on the honor system? -nt

[AZSkiffyGeek]

33. Honor system

But it sounds like if you refuse to wear a mask when requested, it's an HR issue.

[MichMan]

24. No one is prohibiting you from wearing one

People are free to wear masks for the remainder of heir lives if they so desire.

[global1]

28. I'm Not Stupid - I Know That No One Is Prohibiting Me From Wearing A Mask.....

it's my choice.

The point I was making by my OP is that - waiting just a few weeks more to lift the mask requirement might have been a smarter thing to do.

Again - Memorial Day being a holiday will bring out a lot of people wanting to normalize again. We've seen in the past - after a holiday - we've had surges in Covid cases; hospitalizations and deaths.

If we can make it 2 weeks past Memorial Day without any surges - we can be more assured that the worst has passed and the vaccinations are working. Lifting the mask requirements then would seemingly make more sense.

Right now - listening to the MSM - this lifting of the mask requirement - might have caused more confusion. I don't think lifting the requirement is an incentive for anti-vaxxers to go out and get vaccinated. If they were anti-mask and anti-vax before this lifting - I don't think many will be incentivized to get vaccinated now - or wear a mask because they aren't vaccinated.

I'm just saying 2 weeks after Memorial Day - with no glaring surges - would have put the CDC in a better position to justify lifting the mask requirement.

On the chance that for some reason we see a surge in Covid after Memorial Day - how will the American People handle having to be required to wear masks again to deal with a surge?

[Celerity]

31. I do not.

[clutterbox1830]

32. You are entitle your own opinion and there is no harm to cautious.

However, I trust the medical expert and feel safe enough not to wear mask when not needed.
Honestly, I look forward to go back to the gym and not having to run or do cardio in a mask.

[Beringia]

35. I agree

[VGNonly]

36. I had the shots (Moderna)

I'll stay masked.

I'll still social distance.

I'll wait till fall and reevaluate.