Upon learning that the vaccines for COVID-19 aren’t as potent against the variants as we would like, many of us wondered what vaccinated people could and couldn’t do. How safe were they? How much freer would their lives be? The CDC took time to review all the data before putting out safety guidelines and have given some great news. People who are fully vaccinated can gather inside without masks.
A person is fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the vaccine. With more and more people being vaccinated every day, this is an excellent step toward normal life and could help convince people who are on the fence about getting the shot.
“I hope that this new guidance provides the momentum for everyone to get vaccinated when they can and gives states the patience to follow the public health roadmap needed to reopen their economies and communities safely,” said Dr. Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC.
The CDC said that fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without wearing masks and without social distancing. They can also feel safe spending time inside, without masks or social distancing, with single families that are low-risk and healthy.
Because of the variants, and because no vaccine gives 100 percent immunity, they strongly recommend vaccinated people continue to wear masks, keep their distance in public and avoid large gatherings. Also, even if you are vaccinated, if you have a symptom, get tested right away. While it is rare, vaccinated people can become infected with COVID-19. Nine percent of Americans are fully vaccinated so far.
People should continue to delay travel plans. That’s how variants are getting from place to place. If you have to travel, be careful, wear a mask and follow all of the current guidelines. Without enough scientific information, the CDC isn’t prepared to release guidelines about travel.
“Every time that there is a surge in travel we have a surge of cases in this country,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. “We know that many of our variants have emerged from international places and we know that the travel corridor is a place where people are mixing a lot.”
Many vaccinated people have greeted the new guidelines with excitement. You can read the complete guidelines here. Even without being told we can get back to “life as normal,” they are a win.
So many people have been cautious, waiting to find out what is and isn’t safe. Grace McShane has kept her mask on since receiving her second dose. “Even if you’re vaccinated, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is the new normal. This is part of life and you just have to adapt to it,” she said. But, she said she really wanted to hug her grandchildren and not wear a mask around them. “Just cuddle and give them hugs. That’s all I want to do.”
Many Americans feel that way; it’s just spending quality time with our families and friends that we miss. Sure, we want to go into businesses without restrictions, but we want to hug our loved ones and eat family meals. These guidelines quite literally put family dinners back on the table!
