As a post-COVID-19 vaccination result, people who have been fully vaccinated against the virus don't need to mask up anymore. They do not need to stay six feet away from others.
This was according to a new guidance the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Thursday.
The question goes though, if it means that those Americans who had fully received their COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago, meaning complete immunity has kicked in, can already live their day-to-say lives, celebrate with, and hug everyone without their masks.
The experts' answer is, "not quite." There is still a need for one to mask up when on public transportation, or if the laws or regulations require it, that would be applicable to nursing homes, hospitals, as well as other health care settings, and even some local workplaces and local businesses. In addition, children need to wear their mask too, when going to school.
According to a KSL.com report, the said guidance comes with a warning too, that if one has a condition or is taking medicines that weakens his immune system, he certainly may not be completely shielded even if he has had full vaccination.
The new CDC guidance specifies the need to talk to a health care provider in case of other health conditions as, even if following vaccination, there may still be a need for one to continue "taking all precautions."
Immunocompromised People
According to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC Director, immunocompromised people need to talk to their doctors before they decide to stop masking up, although, others, which include those at greater risk of danger of COVID-19, may want to do the same.
For the most part, research currently emerging suggests those who are immunocompromised, or those currently taking medications that intrude their immune system, may not have as much shield from COVID-19 vaccines.
Some of the immunocompromised people are those who have undergone organ transplants, or those who are currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Other than chemotherapy, Laura Makaroff, the American Cancer Society senior vice president for prevention and early detention, Laura Makaroof said, certain immunotherapy types, bone marrow or stem cell transplants, as well as other medications could sternly weaken one's immune system.
Because of this, people who are heavily immunocompromised are told the need to stay fully masked and take extra care to be shielded from all manner of pathogens. Experts have also wanted everyone to remain masked up to protect the immunocompromised, too.
Certain Conditions That Require One to Stay Masked Up
A lot of common illnesses and conditions that impact millions of Americans can cause the weakening of the immune system, usually to lower degrees.
The body may react inactively to invaders, making it more susceptible to infection and viruses like COVID-19, among others.
Diabetes, for instance, can lower one's immunity. According to the CDC, there are approximately 34.2 million people living with the condition in the United States, and another 88 million have prediabetes.
Another condition is obesity, which can be tied to frail immunity, as well as 40 percent of Americans are found to be obese. Other conditions that can weaken the immune system include kidney, liver, and heart diseases, and old age.
TODAY has a related report shown on its YouTube video below:
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