Should vaccinated people mask themselves in the face of the increase in COVID-19 cases?

Should vaccinated people mask themselves in the face of the increase in COVID-19 cases?

It depends on your situation, but masking in public can provide another layer of protection and help prevent the virus from spreading to others who are not protected.

Easing security measures and large numbers of unvaccinated people in many regions are contributing to the spread of cases around the world.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not changed their advice that fully vaccinated people can safely do without masks in most situations. But agency director Dr Rochelle Walensky said local decisions on mask warrants could vary depending on vaccination levels and whether there is an increase.

Los Angeles County recently began requiring residents to wear masks indoors, regardless of their immunization status, for example, and authorities in New Orleans are urging people to do the same.

While COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of serious illness and death and remain effective against the variants, some experts have said wearing a mask is a reasonable precaution because it is always possible to be infected.

Masking could also help prevent the virus from spreading to children too young for vaccination and to people with weakened immune systems.

“Personally, I continue to wear a mask when going to public spaces outside my home, both for my own protection and for the good of my community,” said virus researcher Angela Rasmussen of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan. .

Dr William Schaffner, infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, said a ‘belt and suspenders’ approach also makes sense for people who are older or have health problems and are more likely to get seriously ill if they are. are infected.

“I’m pretty healthy, but I have gray hair. So when I go out to the supermarket, I’m masked, ”Schaffner said.

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The AP answers your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them to: [email protected]. Read more here:

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