The CDC says that vaccinated individuals are allowed to go unmasked in a public setting. But what if you are not ready to unmask?
For the public, wearing a mask has become more than just a protection against COVID-19. It has also become a lifestyle. So, when the CDC announced in May that fully vaccinated people are allowed to be unmasked, many remained weary of doing so. Now, many are left asking whether or not it is still okay to continue to mask up.
On May 13, the CDC updated its key points for individuals that have been vaccinated. On the website, it states that fully vaccinated people will no longer need to wear a mask, stay socially distant or avoid crowds unless in a federal, state, or local business/workplace.
Still, many vaccinated individuals would rather take precautions and continue to wear a mask when in a public setting. According to President Joe Biden, that is completely okay.
“Some people may want to continue to wear a mask, even if they are fully vaccinated. That is a decision they can make,” Biden said in a COVID-19 briefing. “Some businesses may continue to require the wearing of masks [also], let’s all be kind and respectful to one another as we come out of this pandemic.”
CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky shared her knowledge on whether or not it is safe for vaccinated people to be surrounded by unvaccinated people while unmasked.
“The science demonstrates that if you are fully vaccinated, you are protected,” said Walensky. “It is the people who are not fully vaccinated in those settings, who might not be wearing a mask, who are not protected.”
For these reasons, the CDC and White House response team encourage the public to get vaccinated. For those that have been vaccinated, it is now a personal decision on whether or not you feel comfortable to be unmasked. So, are you ready to take off your mask?