WHO urges fully vaccinated people to continue to wear masks as delta Covid variant spreads

[SheltieLover]

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/06/25/delta-who-urges-fully-vaccinated-people-to-continue-to-wear-masks-as-variant-spreads.html

"People cannot feel safe just because they had the two doses. They still need to protect themselves," WHO official Dr. Mariangela Simao told reporters.

Snip

"Vaccine alone won't stop community transmission," Simao added. "People need to continue to use masks consistently, be in ventilated spaces, hand hygiene ... the physical distance, avoid crowding. This still continues to be extremely important, even if you're vaccinated when you have a community transmission ongoing."

WHO officials said they are asking fully vaccinated people to continue to "play it safe" because a large portion of the world remains unvaccinated and highly contagious variants, like delta, are spreading in many countries, spurring outbreaks.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that about half of adults infected in an outbreak of the delta variant in Israel were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, prompting the government there to reimpose an indoor mask requirement and other measures.

More at link. Please be safe, everyone!

[sheshe2]

1. I have not stopped wearing one.

[Blue_true]

6. Same here. The only case where I have not was around one of my brothers,

who I KNOW is fully vaccinated, in fact, he was vaxxed before I was.

[SheltieLover]

13. I still wear mine!

[sheshe2]

25. Vaxed family.

We got together and we did not. Anywhere else I do.

Stay safe, Blue.

[Blue_true]

29. Stay safe also SheShe. nt

[SheltieLover]

12. Me either, She

And when I grocery shop, I am literally the only one with a mask on except employees.

[sheshe2]

27. Not sure the ratio here.

Some customers wear them...have seen many employees masked.

I will where one.

[SheltieLover]

28. Me too!

😷

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

111. Me either. Still social distancing and staying out of public

as much as possible.

I live in a red county full of covidiots.

[Scrivener7]

2. And there it is. Now the CDC will try and put the toothpaste back into the tube.

[SoonerPride]

3. Doubtful.

[Blue_true]

7. The CDC didn't have the data that got generated in highly vaccinated Israel. nt

[SheltieLover]

14. I wonder if they will

And why have they stopped reporting breakthrough delta infections? The data is still being collected, per a DU person, but why no reporting?

[dweller]

4. Dare I say it ?

Alas, masks are here to stay

✌🏻

[SheltieLover]

15. They are for me!

[Initech]

31. I seriously hope not.

Mine are going up in smoke as soon as we don't have to wear them anymore. I hate these damn things with the fiery passion of 1,000 suns.

[AllyCat]

42. They are better than those horrible plastic shields we used to wear

for every single patient. Now just Covid patients.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I'm already/still doing all of that. I don't wear a mask around other fully vaccinated people

but I wear one on the bus and in stores. I'm avoiding crowds altogether. Our vaccination rates are low, cases are rising and the Delta variant is here.

[Blue_true]

9. That is the route that I am following.

If I know a person is vaxxed, then I relax with the mask. But when shopping, I wear a mask, properly fitted.

[SheltieLover]

16. I wear mine everywhere around others

Delta is here!

[samnsara]

8. i even bought a new one last week..Im in for the long haul.

[SheltieLover]

17. Good for you!

I'm still following all pandemic protocols.

[Ferrets are Cool]

10. Not only this, BUT there is no guarantee that you are safe even with two shots...

wifey, who is recovering from stage 4 lymphoma, just had an antibody check after getting both her shots months ago. They are very low. The doctor said that she should continue to act as though she has not had the shots at all, wearing masks and limiting her contact with others.
Needless to say, she is very depressed today. She had planned a trip to see her kids and grandkids in a month. Now that has been cancelled.
Nor is she the only one to have this low antibody count. We know several other people who have had this occur.

Be safe out there. It's not nearly over yet!

[SheltieLover]

19. Sorry wife had to cancel trip

In Israel where they have very high vax rate, 50% of delta are breakthroughs, per WSJ.

Stay safe, my friend!

[Ferrets are Cool]

74. Thank you so much SL

Throw a good vibe our way. She definitely needs it right now.

[SheltieLover]

77. Healing vibes on the way! 💗💗💗

[Nanjeanne]

47. My husband has myeloma - also a blood cancer and joined the LLS study to see

if he had a response to vaccine. Negative. We are being especially careful and continue wearing masks in always indoors and outdoors any area where there are more than handful of people. Especially knowing vaccinated people can be asymptotic but spread the virus. Our state went from 20 new cases to 150 two days ago and 130 today. And it’s a highly vaccinated state. People have no idea what we are going to be in for with these new variants. We will not take chances with his health and some fabric on our face and hand washing seems like very little to stay healthy.

[Ferrets are Cool]

75. Sending out good vibes for both of you

[Nanjeanne]

122. Thanks!

[Notek]

83. Keep up the good work, Nanjeanne.

My wife kept thinking she was experiencing arthritis symptoms and refused to see a doctor. As time passed it got worse and she was diagnosed with stage 4 multiple myeloma. In 4 months she was gone at age 66.
All my best wishes to you both.

[Nanjeanne]

121. So sorry for your loss. We have been on this journey since 2015. One day at a time.

[SheltieLover]

101. Agreed!

Small price to stay safe!

[LisaL]

108. Ask your doctor if he needs a booster shot?

I read about the guy who had a heart transplant, and he got two Pfizer doses, his antibodies were low, he got J&J and that did the trick.
Some people might need more than 2 shots to get their antibodies up.

[Nanjeanne]

123. We are heading to a CarT protocol so no boosters before. But yes. It's a good possibility

for others.

[moonscape]

118. Very sorry he didn't get a response. As

you probably know, they aren’t yet sure what those results mean, there is also the immunity factor of T-cells which he could have. I’m also.part of the LLS study for myeloma and fortunately had a positive response but I’m on maintenance chemo and was able to stop therapy between jabs and for 10 days afterwards.

Asked my myeloma specialist about antibody production among her patients and she said 50% got a negative result like your husband.

There is a great myeloma community at SmartPatients.com which can be a wealth of information and support should you two ever feel inclined.

[Nanjeanne]

124. Glad you had a response. My husband got his shots during his week off and did

stop dex and IVIG for a number of weeks. But still nada! But as you mentioned, there could still be some protection. We are heading to the newly approved CarT in a few months so will do everything we can to stay safe.

We have been on this journey since 2014 and yes SmartPatients is an excellent site. Good luck to you on your journey.

[Ms. Toad]

11. And the follow the science people will arrive in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1

Oh, wait, the science doesn't support the I got mine, screw you attitude prevalent on DU recently.

I've been urging continued mask wearing - nothing the CDC said changed my mind. Nothing WHO is saying now changes my mind. Because I actually do follow the science - rather than an agency.

[BannonsLiver]

30. When will the rational, stayed people arrive?

[niyad]

18. As my open letter to the anti-mask, anti-vax crowd stated, I hate them because I still

have to wear a mask, as do all my friends, even though we are all fully vaccinated. And it has been damned hot.

But, since we are neither stupid, nor suicidal, we continue to follow the protocols. I really hate the anti's. May they receive everything they deserve.

[SheltieLover]

20. I share your sentiment!

Glad you are being careful!

[Skittles]

21. which SOME OF US advised from the start

it MAKES SENSE

[SheltieLover]

23. Yup. I'm one of them!

Common sense is right!

[Skittles]

34. you know it

it really disturbed me how many people acted as if the goal all along was to end masking, as opposed to ENDING THE PANDEMIC

[SheltieLover]

35. And CDC stopping reporting breakthrough infections!

Wtf is it with masks? Yes, they can be a bit hot & inconvenient, but not nearly as much as a vent or lung transplant! 😷

[Skittles]

40. if Trump had not been "president", things would have been different

yes there will always be stupid, selfish assholes but the mind-boggling numbers of Americans still buying his con job defies belief

[SheltieLover]

41. Yes

CDC might still have lots of them left.

I wonder what vax rate is at CDC? That would be quite telling!

[Skittles]

43. vax should be required for CDC workers

it's ridiculous, just like the unvaccinated working in hospitals......you should not be preaching that which you do not practice!

[appalachiablue]

63. You got it, the ignorant and vile, stubborn too

[Skittles]

96. and the just plain selfish assholes

there is never a shortage of THEM

[Treefrog]

125. Excellent point.

Never knew we had so many here who felt the masks were SUCH an imposition lol.

[Skittles]

128. it really irks me

when I think about what my English mum and her family went through during WWII, then seeing people now whining about wearing a freaking mask (and it is not just repukes)

[BigmanPigman]

22. Cases in the UK and Russia are going through the roof.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

I know the Delta variant is responsible for the UK rise but I am not sure about Russia.

[SheltieLover]

24. Ty for info!

I think uk is delta!

[LisaL]

26. Same in Russia.

Delta is hitting Moscow hard.

[3catwoman3]

32. I'm wearing mine in public places, and will continue...

...to do so. I don't trust unmasked people to actually be immunized. And if people who see me in my mask think I'm wearing it because I'm not immunized, maybe they will stay far away from me - fine by me.

[SheltieLover]

33. Lol! Same here!

[colsohlibgal]

36. Interesting

I have mostly stopped wearing them but may reconsider.

[SheltieLover]

37. I haven't

They are a bit of an inconvenience & a bit hot, but not worth the risk to me.

[liberal_mama]

38. I never stopped wearing my mask!

In fact I'm wearing better N95 masks now to compensate for the additional risk from the maskless people.

[SheltieLover]

39. I'm still in N95's

I bought small supply before pandemic hit here & still wearing.

No intention of giving them up anytime soon!

[womanofthehills]

99. I have a variety of different masks for different places

Lots of pretty cotton flower masks than I insert a filter into, and definitely my N95's if I need to run into Walmart.

[Jon King]

44. Yawn, fear mongering nonsense.

None of the people getting seriously sick are vaccinated. Infected stats are meaningless.

The reason WHO says masks is in countries with low vaccination rates and its to protect OTHERS...not the vaccinated! So if you are fully vaccinated and still wearing a mask to protect yourself? Great....but might as well wrap yourself in bubble wrap and never get into a moving vehicle. Cause your odds of getting sick from Covid after vaccination is so low its not really doing a thing.

Geez already, get a grip. 1500 people a day in the US die of obesity, 350 from Covid....and most of those 350 die of Covid because they are overweight and unhealthy to begin with!

We have a bunch of overweight people, never exercise, fully vaccinated, wearing masks still instead of getting their tales in shape.

You want to really help the USA? Stop harping on Covid and start harping on getting more people to exercise and eat right.

[Ferrets are Cool]

78. OMFG

I wanted to believe this was a "sarcasm" post, but you are really serious.

Wow, forum rules dictate that I cannot say what I really want to post.

[ecstatic]

93. wow. lol. nt

[Skittles]

97. yup, you hear about them

sucks actually seeing them in action

INSTANT Ignore

[Orrex]

48. I just wanted to reply in case someone in this thread gets booted as an obvious troll

I'm not accusing anyone, of course, and I look forward to your many years of productive contribution to discussions on DU.


Welcome!

[Hugin]

52. I'd really like to know if masks are so ineffective at preventing the transmission of diseases...

Why they are worn in surgical settings? Is it because they look all doctory?

I read through that lengthy post and it wasn't mentioned.

[Orrex]

55. I've made that same point, in fact!

When I run into some fuckhead who insists that masks are useless, I tell them that they must therefore demand that any surgeries in their future are performed mask-less.

If we could be sure that those assholes would harm only themselves and not risk any actual, careful human beings, I'd encourage them to infect the hell out of themselves.

[Yavin4]

58. Then why didn't strict mask mandated prevent the surge of covid-19 cases back in Jan.

On Jan. 11, 2021, the US 7 day average was over 250,000 cases and over 4000 deaths. This surge was true in places like NYC that had over 4000 new cases per day in January, and NYC had very strict mask mandates and capacity limitations.

Masks do not work because you need full compliance and constant enforcement to make them work. Something that only an authoritarian government can get away with.

[Hugin]

59. It can't be proven the use of PPE and other guidelines didn't reduce the case load.

What would it have been without them? Huh?

There were a large percentage of people who were willingly following the protocols in all settings.

[Yavin4]

61. Outside of vaccines, the only true mitigation measure that worked was social distancing.

That was more effective than masks. People working from home is what lowered the case load, not masks.

[Hugin]

67. Evidence?

What do you propose? A do-over? Count me out.

[demtenjeep]

49. Enjoy your time here.

it won't be very long


MIRT

Alert

[Orrex]

53. I miss them already.

[Hugin]

54. Well, there's three minutes of my life I'll never get back.

Reading that tripe.

I try to understand... Really, I do.

[demtenjeep]

50. Enjoy your time here.

it won't be very long


MIRT

Alert

[greatauntoftriplets]

51. Speaking of halfwits, Dr. Perry sounds like one.

[Orrex]

46. I never stopped wearing mine

My job requires me to enter people's homes, and even though they routinely tell me that I can remove my mask if I want, I absolutely don't. Except when I'm working outside with no one near.

There is no real down side to wearing the mask, just as there is no real up side to forgoing the mask in businesses or when in close contact with others.

[SheltieLover]

64. Good for you!

I've continued to mask & soc distance as well. Common sense, imo.

[Yavin4]

56. On Jan. 11, 2021, the U.S. had a 7 day average case rate of 250,889 and masks were mandated

in several places along with strict capacity restrictions. On June 4, 2021, the the U.S. had a 7 day average case rate of 11,352. The difference? We vaccinated our most vulnerable population starting in December 2020 and continuing through Feb. 2021.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrendscases

The vaccines are more effective against the virus than masks.

[SheltieLover]

65. Yes, but there is no need to abandon masks

[Ferrets are Cool]

79. Well duh

That doesn't mean people should abandon masks, especially if they feel safer with one.

[Hiawatha Pete]

60. Thanks for posting this, it needs to be driven home. Still wearing my mask. n/t

[SheltieLover]

66. Yw!

Good for you! Me too!

[Midnight Writer]

62. Are they seeing re-infections at a similar rate?

Even though USA is lagging in the desired number of vaccinated, I wonder if that number is bolstered by people who were previously infected and have some immunity from that.

[SheltieLover]

69. Not sure

I don't even know if CDC is releasing info on reinfections.

[Midnight Writer]

102. Dr. Rand Paul says you're immune if previously infected, so they probably don't track them.

Dr. Rand Paul is a United States Senator and a Board Certified Doctor, so I can't imagine he would say that if he didn't know it for a fact.

I'm sure he has respect for the integrity of his position and for the best interests of his constituents and for his Country that he swore to serve.

I'm grateful we have responsible people in top positions that can guide us through this crisis.

[OhioChick]

68. I got mocked here when the CDC released their new mask "recommendations"

Because I disagreed with them.

Here we sit.

[SheltieLover]

71. Indeed!

Some are still mocking, as seen above. Time will tell.

[OhioChick]

73. They'll all see in time....

This virus is no where near done with us.

[SheltieLover]

76. Not even close to done!

Not sure what RWNJ's issues are with wearing a mask.

[LisaL]

110. Yep.

Covid is putting out variants faster than we can create/test/make enough vaccine boosters for them. In Israel, 50 % of adults infected with delta were vaccinated (which tells me vaccine is less effective against delta).

[bdamomma]

82. I don't

think this virus is over, I think some sort of medication needs to be on the front burner, until then the mask stays on.

[Skittles]

98. as I have mentioned

there's never a shortage of selfish assholes

[LisaL]

109. As far as I am concerned, that was an incredibly stupid for CDC to do.

Now I see people acting as if everything was back to normal, and going around maskless. Everything is opened back up.
Right before delta starts spreading.
How stupid is that?

[appalachiablue]

70. Not unmasking anytime soon, no way.

Thanks for posting this, I just now saw the CNBC article, and yesterday read news about vaccinated people in Israel getting Plus, which was distressing.

Stay safe and well in these times.

[SheltieLover]

72. Me either, AB!

Yes, those are terrifying stats out of Israel!

Ty for well wishes. You stay safe, too!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

80. For us it depends on environment.

Crowded areas indoors, absolutely.

[SheltieLover]

81. For me, anywhere near humans.

[NH Ethylene]

84. Has anyone read more at the link?

I can't get beyond the paywall and am wondering if they are seeing a difference in the severity of the disease in those who are vaccinated vs unvaccinated.

[SheltieLover]

87. There is no paywall

[NH Ethylene]

90. My mistake. I tried to go to the original source, linked in the article.

And that (WSJ) was what had the paywall.

[SheltieLover]

91. Glad you are able to read it

Yes, WSJ is paywalled.

[GoodRaisin]

85. I still mask up in public establishments and stay away from them as much as possible.

No plans to change my routines any time soon.

[marble falls]

89. Somethings in the air....

Spill in aisle 6, pizza aisle.

[Brother Buzz]

94. Tombstone pizza is in the frozen food aisle

[marble falls]

106. That explains everything!

[Iggo]

88. Thought I wouldn't?

[SheltieLover]

92. I sure do still mask when around other people!

[Silent3]

95. If fully-vaccinated people turn out to be getting badly symptomatic and/or highly transmissive...

...I'll start worrying. And only after more than one single report confirms it. But if it's just a matter of some fully-vaccinated people asymptomatically testing positive, who aren't spreading what they've got, I'm not going to worry.

I'm happy to be free from masks after dutifully wearing them for a year. I live in an area that has a high vaccination rate (New Hampshire), and which at its worse wasn't as bad as a lot of the rest of the country, so I consider both the risk to myself and the risk I might pose to others extremely low.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

103. I have been wearing my mask in grocery and other stores

I will continue this practice

[SheltieLover]

112. Me too!

[rockfordfile]

104. The USA should limit travel from those places.

[smirkymonkey]

105. Well, looks like I won't be getting out much this summer either.

I may have to pop into the office a few times here and there, in which case I will wear a mask, and definitely if I go anywhere crowded (which I rarely do). I honestly hate wearing them, especially in the heat, but I always do when required to be a responsible citizen.

I would rather just stay in my apartment where it's cool and I don't have to mask up. I am still having most things delivered and have had a few social engagements at safe places, but I think I am going to be more cautious until we get well into the fall and see how this plays out.

The Spanish Flu went through a couple of variants, and the second one in the fall of 1918 was more lethal than the first. The third and final was mild and then it went away. I think it's wise to err on the side of caution.

[SheltieLover]

113. I've not relaxed my precautions either

I do go to grocery store at off hours & always mask.

If the virus gets me, it will not be for lack of trying to avoid it.

I agree completely about the 1918 epidemic.

Stay safe!

[smirkymonkey]

119. Hey SheltieLover!

I think it's wise to be careful at least until the early fall. That's when I think we will see the fallout from everything opening up in late spring/early summer and the toll of the Delta variant, if not earlier.

It can't hurt to be cautious just a little while longer!

[SheltieLover]

120. I totally agree!

An abundance of caution sure won't hurt, but dropping protocols can be deadly.

Stay safe!

[BlueWavePsych]

107. CDC says roughly 4,100 hospitalized or died with Covid breakthrough infections after vaccination

CDC says roughly 4,100 people have been hospitalized or died with Covid breakthrough infections after vaccination

76% of hospitalizations and deaths from breakthrough cases occurred in people over the age of 65.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/25/covid-breakthrough-cases-cdc-says-more-than-4100-people-have-been-hospitalized-or-died-after-vaccination.html

Take nothing for granted.

[SheltieLover]

114. Yes! And WSJ reported that Israel had 50% delta breakthroughs

with very high vax rate - all Pfizer.

Stay safe!

[Larissa]

115. My mask is my friend

I've never stopped wearing it for well over a year. Small price to pay against the risk of the unpredictable. The example of Israel means that we are far from out of the woods yet. Israel is the top nation in terms of the full vaccinations of its population. The Israelis have already reimposed the mask requirement. Meanwhile the CDC . . . Trust your gut. Protect yourself.

[SheltieLover]

116. Same here, Larissa!

Not giving mine up anytime soon! Delta & delta plus are here & CDC has stopped reporting breakthrough infectoions.

Stay safe! 😷

[BlueWavePsych]

117. Will be wearing mine wherever there is a crowd.

Btw, KN95 masks are on sale and all over the place. Just use a glue gun to reinforce straps - usually the reason for deep discount

[SheltieLover]

127. Excellent!

Ty for heads up!

[Calculating]

126. Nah

The whole point of risking getting the vaccine was to get back to normal. What the heck was the point if I'm supposed to still wear a damn mask? I'll take my chances. This is obviously never going to fully end, gotta just trust in the vaccine.

[appalachiablue]

129. Kick for more exposure

[SheltieLover]

130. Thx!

Have you seen what Harvard epidemiologist, Dr. Ding has bee saying?

I'll be right back with link.

[SheltieLover]

131. Link

https://mobile.twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1406794651995148290

I check his twitter frequently. 👍

[appalachiablue]

132. Thanks for these, he's interesting

from all I've read, it's scary as heck.

Two times Thom H. has had him on I only caught the last few minutes, but worth it.

Thanks for keeping on top of this and stay safe!

The Delta variant is spreading so rapidly, fall & winter will be hell.

[SheltieLover]

133. You too!

I appreciate you staying on top of this as well & posting about potential dangers to help protect our community members through awareness.

Glad you are aware of him!

[ShazamIam]

134. I had stopped wearing one but just read that my county only has 45% fully vaccinated rate,

I will resume wearing a mask since we do have the Delta variant in CA.