The CDC Recently Updated Its Masking Guidelines, and I Have Some Concerns

If the past year has taught me anything about people, it’s this: There are many incredible individuals willing to do whatever it takes to protect their fellow humans—making significant sacrifices for the greater good. However, there are equally as many who believe their personal needs take precedence over the well-being of others, viewing even the smallest sacrifices as extreme burdens on their “liberties.”

This past year, I witnessed healthcare professionals courageously showing up to work every day amidst real dangers, caring for patients battling a pandemic-level virus that had not been seen in a century. I watched families suspend all “normal” activities to prevent the spread of a virus that could harm their loved ones.

Conversely, I also saw people I believed to be decent individuals embrace conspiracy theories about the severity of a virus that filled morgues in New York City. I witnessed individuals lying about their COVID-positive status and intentionally spreading germs, as well as others who misrepresented their unmasked vacations to evade quarantine. I encountered individuals who vehemently refused to wear masks in public places, even campaigning against mask mandates in schools.

In summary, this year has shaken my faith in humanity—at least in some segments.

So, when I came across the recent CDC guidance about mask-wearing for fully vaccinated individuals, my initial reaction was, “Does the CDC really think people won’t lie about their vaccination status?” The new guidelines state that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor settings and can forgo social distancing.

However, there are exceptions: masks are still required in public transportation settings, healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, and shelters. It remains uncertain how individual states will respond to these guidelines. In my local CVS, I can easily envision crowds of unmasked individuals congregating in close quarters, believing they’re in the clear because they claim to be vaccinated.

WTAF? I’m sorry, but no.

First off, does the CDC genuinely believe people will be truthful? The guidelines rely on an honor system, as there are no vaccination passports or requirements for proof of vaccination in the U.S. Theoretically, the CDC is right in asserting that vaccinated individuals pose little risk to one another or to others. As noted by The New York Times, a study from Israel indicated that the Pfizer vaccine was “97 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infections among the fully vaccinated, and 86 percent effective at preventing asymptomatic infections.” However, this is purely theoretical and fails to consider real-life scenarios.

Furthermore, the CDC assumes everyone understands what it means to be “fully vaccinated.” The Times highlights that while vaccination rates are increasing, only a third of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. How often do we hear about someone who has received just one dose exclaiming, “I’m vaccinated; let’s celebrate”? No, Sally, you don’t achieve full protection until two weeks after your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or one week after receiving Johnson & Johnson.

This leads me to my main concern: with only a third of Americans fully vaccinated, millions remain vulnerable to COVID-19. Those who are only partially vaccinated may now be in close proximity to those who are unvaccinated, risking infection to those with underlying health conditions or individuals who could unknowingly spread the virus to unvaccinated grandparents or children.

Moreover, we must consider those for whom vaccines may not be effective—such as immunocompromised individuals or organ transplant recipients. And let’s not forget that most children are still unvaccinated, with those under twelve not expected to be eligible until later this year. My eight-year-old, who has asthma, certainly doesn’t need to contract COVID-19 because someone unmasked and unvaccinated is nearby.

And don’t get me started on breakthrough infections. Yes, they are rare, but they do happen. The more unmasked vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals mix, the higher the likelihood of these occurrences.

The rationale behind these new guidelines is partly to encourage those hesitant about vaccination to get the shot. The thought process is that if being vaccinated still means wearing a mask at the grocery store, what’s the point? Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organization in Canada, told The Times that allowing vaccinated individuals to live without masks is a low-cost incentive supported by evidence.

Honestly, I call nonsense. The people refusing vaccines are often the same ones indifferent to mask mandates. Do we genuinely believe that offering them “mask-free” privileges will change their minds? I doubt it.

Ultimately, the pandemic has revealed that many in our population are unconcerned about the safety of others. So, it’s understandable that I find these new mask recommendations unsettling, perplexing, and even infuriating. I’m traumatized by the nearly 600,000 deaths caused by a highly contagious virus still spreading in this country.

I’m fully vaccinated as of two weeks ago, and you can bet I’ll be wearing my mask next time I visit my local CVS. Until infections cease and everyone who wants a vaccine can obtain one—including children—wearing masks in indoor public places, particularly where vaccination statuses are unknown, is a sign of respect, safety, and compassion. The world could certainly use more of that right now, wouldn’t you agree?

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In summary, the recent CDC mask guidelines have raised concerns about honesty regarding vaccination status and the risks posed to unvaccinated individuals. Given the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the importance of safety and respect for others remains paramount.

Keyphrase: CDC mask guidelines concerns

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