Fast Facts for July 27, 2021
Here we go again. Masks are back.
The CDC reversed course today. Now saying everyone in K-12 schools should be wearing a mask – regardless of vaccination status. Plus – the CDC is recommending that those who are living in areas of high or substantial covid19 transmission which accounts for almost two-thirds of US counties… those who live with those who are vulnerable or have young kids in the house should also resume wearing masks in indoor public areas regardless of vaccination status.
This is all because of new science coming in about the Delta variant. I’ll get to that in a second.
So, let’s take a breath and unpack this because there’s a lot there.
First, this is definitely an about face from when I posted this video in mid-May when the CDC said masks were no longer needed for fully vaccinated Americans. And when I posted this video earlier this month when the CDC said school kids who are vaccinated don’t need to wear a mask in school. As of today – that’s all changed.
Second – how do I know if my city is in the high or substantial transmission category. You need to check with your local health department website. It will contain that information.
Third – this is going to be difficult to implement in some states that have officially prevented mask and vaccine mandates. We’ll have to see how this will play out in those states.
So *why* is this happening? The CDC says new data is showing the Delta variant behaves differently than other strains of Covid19. It’s highly contagious and is causing a dramatic spike in new cases of across the country. It’s also happening because of the significant number of people who are choosing not to be vaccinated.
Let’s be very clear – this new mask guidance has *nothing* to do with the effectiveness of the vaccine. The CDC says the vaccine is highly effective, safe and working as it should for those who are choosing to get it. The new science says there are rare cases of breakthrough infections for those who are vaccinated but those people are not getting severely ill or dying. They may be able to spread it. So the concern is *not* for the vaccinated but for those who are not eligible to be vaccinated, like kids and those with certain underlying conditions, and for those who are choosing not to get the vaccine.
CDC guidance here.
Transmission rate map here.
