This past year has revealed a lot about people: While many individuals have gone above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of others, making significant sacrifices, there are equally many who prioritize their individual needs over communal safety. For some, even a minor inconvenience feels like an attack on their personal freedoms.
During this time, I witnessed healthcare workers courageously facing daily risks to care for patients suffering from a deadly virus that had not been seen in a century. Families and children halted their normal activities to prevent the spread of a virus that posed a serious threat to their loved ones.
However, I also observed individuals I once thought were decent subscribe to conspiracy theories about the virus’s deadliness, lie about their COVID status, and flout health guidelines. I saw people resist wearing masks in stores, even advocating against mask mandates in schools.
This experience left me with a diminished faith in humanity, at least in part. So, when I encountered the recent CDC update regarding mask use for fully vaccinated individuals, my initial reaction was skepticism: “Does the CDC not realize that people might lie about their vaccination status?”
According to the new guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor settings, nor do they need to practice social distancing. There are, however, a few exceptions—masks are still required on public transportation, in airports, and in healthcare facilities.
Nonetheless, I can easily imagine walking into my local pharmacy and seeing large groups of unmasked people congregating without a care in the world. If they claim to be vaccinated, it appears that’s perfectly acceptable.
I can’t help but question the CDC’s assumption that people will be truthful about their vaccination status. With no vaccination passports or proof required in the U.S., it creates an honor system that many may not respect.
While it’s true that vaccinated individuals are less likely to pose a threat to each other, this is based on theoretical models. A study from Israel indicated that the Pfizer vaccine is “97 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infections among fully vaccinated individuals.” However, this assumes honesty about vaccination status, which, as we’ve seen, is not guaranteed.
Moreover, only about one-third of Americans are fully vaccinated. Many people mistakenly believe they’re protected after just one shot, ignoring the need for a second dose (for Pfizer or Moderna) or the waiting period after a Johnson & Johnson shot.
This leads me to my main concern: the large number of unvaccinated individuals still vulnerable to COVID-19. Those who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated may unknowingly pose a risk to those with health vulnerabilities or to children who have yet to be vaccinated, especially since most kids under 12 won’t have access to vaccines until later this year.
Breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals, while rare, can still occur. Mixing unmasked vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals increases the likelihood of these infections spreading.
The reasoning behind these new guidelines seems partly aimed at incentivizing those hesitant about vaccination. The idea is that if vaccinated individuals still have to wear masks, what incentive do they have? Availing vaccinated individuals the privilege of going mask-free sounds appealing, according to experts, but I question its effectiveness. Those resistant to vaccination likely disregard mask mandates already—will this really change their minds?
Ultimately, the pandemic has shown that a significant portion of the population may not prioritize the safety of others. Thus, I find these new mask recommendations deeply troubling, particularly after witnessing nearly 600,000 lives lost to a highly contagious virus still circulating in our country.
I’m fully vaccinated as of two weeks ago, but I will continue to wear a mask when I visit public places like my local pharmacy. Until there is a significant drop in infections and everyone who wants a vaccine can access one, including children, wearing a mask in indoor public spaces feels like a necessary act of respect, safety, and care. In a time like this, we need more of that, don’t you think?
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In summary, the recent CDC masking guidelines raise significant concerns about public health and safety as many people may misrepresent their vaccination status. Until the vaccination rates improve and infections decrease, continued mask usage in public spaces remains crucial for the wellbeing of all, especially vulnerable populations.