The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday that fully vaccinated Americans should return to hiding in schools and other areas where there is high or substantial COVID-19-transmission.According to the CDC, the dramatic reversal of mask guidance was caused by an increase in COVID-19-related cases and the spread hyper-transmissible Delta variant. This variant is more contagious than previous versions and is currently dominant in the US.The CDC states that new data from outbreak investigations in the US suggests that people with breakthrough infection with the delta virus have similar viral loads to unvaccinated persons. The possibility that the delta variant can be spread to others is raised by this concern.In a press conference Tuesday, Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, stated that "the vast majority of transmission [in the US] occurs through unvaccinated individuals." She said that vaccines do an outstanding job in protecting individuals who have been vaccinated against severe illness, hospitalizations, death, and mild illnesses.She said that unlike the alpha variant we discussed back in May, which didn't support the possibility of transmission if you had been vaccinated, the delta variant is now possible. This new concern "unfortunately warrants an updated recommendation."Recommendations for the futureThe CDC recommends that everyone who has been fully vaccinated wear a mask indoors if local COVID-19 transmission levels rise to "high" or even "substantial." The agency defines high transmission as more that 100 new cases of COVID-19 in 100,000 people over the span of seven days. "Substantial" is 50 to 99 cases for 100,000 people over the span of seven days.These definitions are currently applicable to large areas of the country. The CDC reports that 46 percent of all counties in the country have high transmission levels and another 17 percent have significant transmission as of Tuesday. Included are all or almost all of the Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida counties. In recent weeks, the southeastern US has been a major transmission hub along with much of the Midwest. In the last seven days, many counties have seen cases rates exceeding 500 per 100,000.AdvertisementThe CDC recommends universal masking in all K-12 schools. This means that all students, teachers, and staff should be wearing masks to school, regardless of their vaccination status.People who have not been vaccinated, or are partially vaccinated, should continue to wear masks and practice social distancing until they get vaccinated. Anybody with questions regarding vaccines should see their doctor.These new recommendations are a change from earlier guidance issued by the agency on May 13 that stated that people who have been fully vaccinated are very well protected against the pandemic coronavirus. They no longer need to wear masks in any setting. However, this guidance was controversial and seen as premature. It is difficult to determine the vaccination status of most people in all settings. Additionally, it puts vulnerable people at risk.About the faceTransmission levels had declined in May and the US was not yet dominated by the delta variant. With the dominance of delta in the country, cases have risen across the nation. Walensky stated that mask guidance will reduce transmission rates, which is crucial for all people, not just those who are unvaccinated.The pandemic virus is more likely to infect and spread to more people. This means that it has greater potential to evolve and mutate into more dangerous variants. Walensky warned that future variants could make it harder to get vaccines.The new mask guidance will also protect those who refuse to get vaccinated, as well as those who cannot be protected. This includes children who may not be eligible to get vaccinated, and people with immunocompromised who may not be well protected.Walensky concluded her remarks by expressing frustration at the new guidance. She cited the long duration of the pandemic, mental health problems, vaccine hesitancy, and the fact that fully vaccinated persons are now being asked to take mitigation steps again.She acknowledged that "it is not a welcome piece of news" that masking will be an integral part of people's lives, even if they have been vaccinated. She said that experts from the CDC supported the masking change. "This was not something we took lightly and it's something I know weighs heavily on me and with all Americans."
