CDC Updates Guidelines For Vaccinated People

Washington health officials say they are “cautiously optimistic” following an announcement by the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) that those who have received the coronavirus vaccine can gather in public without wearing face masks. 

Immunized Individuals Can Socialize Safely With Each Other

Dr. Ali Mokdad, a professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the chief strategy officer for Population Health at the University of Washington, says that the move does make sense. Mokdad believes that people who have the vaccine should be rewarded to encourage people to take it. That reward, according to the CDC, is allowing people to spend time outdoors without the need for social distancing or face coverings – a return to normalcy for many. 

Health officials say that people with the vaccine should be comfortable meeting other vaccinated individuals because there is minimal risk of infection or hospitalization. With that said, officials warn vaccinated people to not throw away their face masks just yet. They warn there is still a risk you may catch or transfer the disease. You should practice caution and common sense. 

Officials aren’t concerned that groups of vaccinated individuals could cause another coronavirus surge but warn that cases could spike if other states open too soon. There will be time for relaxation when everyone has the vaccine and we can finally move on with our lives.