WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) – Due to the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is updating its mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people.
The reasoning is that those who are fully vaccinated can still carry and spread the Delta variant, which is said to be more contagious than other strains.
With that in mind, it is recommended that fully vaccinated residents wear masks for indoor public situations. The recommendation is for people that reside in high-transmission or substantial areas.
According to the CDC, infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild.
A graph of the current spread was shared to the CDC website and is current as of July 25. A still from the graph can be viewed below:
Still image from graph of COVID-19 spread as of July 25, 2021. (Courtesy CDC).
Full guidance from the CDC can be viewed at this link.
Statement from President Biden –
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden issued a statement about these updated guidelines.
It reads in part as follows:
“Today’s announcement by the CDC—that new research and concerns about the Delta variant leads CDC to recommend a return to masking in parts of the country—is another step on our journey to defeating this virus. I hope all Americans who live in the areas covered by the CDC guidance will follow it; I certainly will when I travel to these areas.
Today, the CDC also reaffirmed that we can safely reopen schools this fall—full time. Masking students is inconvenient, I know, but will allow them to learn and be with their classmates with the best available protection.
Most importantly, today’s announcement also makes clear that the most important protection we have against the Delta variant is to get vaccinated. Although most U.S. adults are vaccinated, too many are not. While we have seen an increase in vaccinations in recent days, we still need to do better.”
President Biden said he would be announcing his next steps into getting more American citizens vaccinated on Thursday, adding that the country will be able to avoid lockdowns and other such measures.
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