This comes as a measured step in the US’ road to normal after the virus outbreak swept more than 5,60,000 lives. As per data, half of the American population has received the first dose of the vaccine, and more than a third is fully vaccinated.
America’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in a major announcement on Tuesday eased the rules for wearing masks outdoors. It said that fully vaccinated Americans needn’t wear masks outdoors anymore, except if they are in crowded places like a place of worship, malls, etc. Unvaccinated citizens though will have to continue wearing masks in some cases
This comes as a measured step in the US’ road to normal after the virus outbreak swept more than 5,60,000 lives. As per data, half of the American population has received the first dose of the vaccine, and more than a third have received both doses.
“Today is another day we can take a step back to the normalcy of before,” Rochelle Walensky, the CDC chief, said at a news briefing announcing the changes. She cited a “really hopeful decline” of about 21% in the 7-day average for cases.
The CDC says that fully vaccinated or not, people do not have to wear masks outdoors when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their household. They can also go maskless in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated people. The agency in its order also encouraged people to be mindful when around those with an increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19, including those with diabetes and some types of cancer, lung or kidney disease.
Also Read: India Logs Over 3200 Covid Deaths, Records 3.6 Lakh Fresh Cases
Unvaccinated people — defined by the CDC as those who have yet to receive both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-shot Johnson&Johnson formula — should wear masks at outdoor gatherings that include other unvaccinated people. They also should keep using masks at outdoor restaurants.
Fully vaccinated people do not need to cover up in those situations, the CDC says.
Medical expert Dr. Faheem Younus, in a tweet, delineated the pros and cons of getting vaccinated and remaining unvaccinated. “The choice couldn’t be more obvious,” he said.
Benefits of Being Fully Vaccinated:
Go outdoors or be with other vaccinated ppl without masks.
Attend worship/gym/bar/ restaurant while masked.
Risk of being Unvaccinated:
Fever or cough or hospitalization or ventilator or death.The choice couldn’t be more obvious. https://t.co/Dw3zFbgGsc
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) April 28, 2021
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