CDC Announces Fully Vaccinated Americans Can Go Without Masks in Most Settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has announced that fully vaccinated Americans can now go without masks in most indoor and outdoor settings, including crowded gatherings. The new guidance marks a significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19 and is seen as a major step towards returning to pre-pandemic life.
According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Fully vaccinated individuals can now resume most activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, with some exceptions such as on public transportation or in healthcare settings.
The new guidance has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing relief and excitement at the prospect of returning to normal activities, while others have expressed concern about the potential for unvaccinated individuals to falsely claim vaccinated status and potentially spread the virus.
The CDC has emphasized that the guidance applies only to fully vaccinated individuals and that those who are not vaccinated should continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing. They also noted that individual states and businesses may still choose to implement their own mask mandates or restrictions.
The announcement comes as vaccination rates continue to climb in the US and as the country sees a decrease in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths. The CDC has urged those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible in order to help bring an end to the pandemic.