Do vaccinated persons need to be aware of the rising number of COVID-19 cases?
It all depends on your situation. However, masking in public can offer additional protection and help to prevent the virus spreading to others.
The spread of the disease is being caused by a combination of a lack of safety precautions in some regions and a large number of unvaccinated people in other parts of the world.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not changed their advice that people who are fully vaccinated can go without masks in most cases. However, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the agency director, stated that local decisions regarding mask mandates can vary depending on vaccination level and whether there is a surge.
Los Angeles County has recently made it mandatory that residents wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. Officials in New Orleans have also encouraged people to do so.
Although COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of serious illness and death, they are still effective against variants. However, experts suggest that wearing a mask is an acceptable precaution as it’s still possible for you to become infected.
The masking of the virus could help to prevent its spread to children who are too young to be vaccinated or people with weak immune systems.
Angela Rasmussen, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, stated that she still wears a mask to protect myself and others when entering public spaces.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, said a “belt-and-suspenders” approach also makes sense for people who are older or have health issues and are more vulnerable to getting severely ill if infected.
“I am healthy but have gray hair. Schaffner explained that when I go to the supermarket, my face is covered.