American Coronavirus: A safer future is only in a few months. But Americans shouldn’t abandon security measures just yet, former CDC director said

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“We are not done yet, Covid is not done with us. Variants are always a risk,” said Dr Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “You don’t declare victory in the third quarter.”

“But in our worst case scenario, where people stop wearing masks faster, start to gather faster, so you can see a wave in April,” he said.

In other words, the next few weeks are crucial – and the way communities are acting could improve or worsen the Covid-19 numbers.
You Asked, We Answered: Your Top Questions About Covid-19 and Vaccines
A customer walks into a store with a mandatory face mask sign displayed on March 2, 2021 in Dallas

Another head of state announces easing of restrictions

Despite warnings from experts of the dangers that persist, a series of states last week unveiled plans to ease restrictions on Covid-19.
Most recently, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon announced he would lift the statewide mask requirement and allow bars, restaurants, theaters and gyms to resume normal operations on March 16.
Why you should wear a face mask even if your condition doesn't require it

“I call on all citizens of Wyoming to continue to take personal responsibility for their actions and remain diligent as we look to the warmer months and the safe resumption of our traditional spring and summer activities,” said the governor said in a statement Monday.

A face-covering protocol will remain in place for K-12 schools, he added.

Other state leaders, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also announced earlier this month that they were removing mask warrants.

Health officials including Dr Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky have urged Americans to continue to mask and stay safe with Covid-19 even as states strive to remove restrictions.

“Listen to CDC recommendations regarding mitigation methods, wearing masks, physical distancing,” Fauci told the National League of Cities on Monday. “Hear what their recommendations are.”

Post-vaccination advice does not go far enough, some experts say

Many state leaders who announced relaxed measures highlighted the encouraging trends of Covid-19 in their state and the increase in the number of vaccines. But as the number of Americans who have been vaccinated grows daily, the country is still likely a few months away from herd immunity – the time when enough people are protected from a disease it cannot spread.
CDC issues long-awaited guidance for people fully vaccinated against Covid-19
So far, more than 60 million Americans have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to CDC data. More than 31.4 million people are now fully vaccinated, data shows. This represents approximately 9.5% of the American population.
The CDC just released new guidelines for fully vaccinated people, saying they can safely visit other people who have been vaccinated, as well as small groups of unvaccinated people in some cases – but with safety precautions are still needed.

The guidelines state that fully vaccinated people can visit other vaccinated people indoors without a mask or physical distance, can visit unvaccinated people inside a single household without masks or physical distance – if the unvaccinated people are at low risk of serious illness – and may skip quarantine and testing if exposed to someone with Covid-19 but asymptomatic, but still need to watch for symptoms for two weeks.

About 50 people were vaccinated at a Florida site when they were not eligible

The CDC also noted that its travel recommendations have not changed: it says people should delay travel and stay home. The guidance will continue to be updated, Walensky said on Monday.

Learn more about the new tips here

But some experts say the advice didn’t go far enough.

“This is one of those examples where I think the CDC is being overly cautious in a way that defies common sense,” emergency doctor Dr Leana Wen told CNN on Monday. “It just doesn’t make sense that you can’t travel, especially if you can now reunite with loved ones, I think a lot of people are anxious to see their grandchildren who they don’t necessarily live with. . “

“In fact, I would go further and say that people who are fully vaccinated should be able to travel, should be encouraged to travel,” she added.

CNN’s Virginia Langmaid, Jacqueline Howard, Jen Christensen and Will Brown contributed to this report.

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