Today the CDC dropped mask requirements in the vast majority of spaces. Here are my initial thoughts... I don’t think removing a mask requirement will improve vaccine hesitancy in the US. Maybe a little, but nothing meaningful. I’m in the weeds with the community, wearing a mask doesn’t even land in the top 20 reasons people won’t get a vaccine.
Agreed, this is more stupidly confusing guidance from the CDC. I'd really hoped their messaging would improve with the administration change.
Would have been simple and clear to just say "masks not required outdoors, still required indoors until some specific metric is reached". The "honor" system of who is vaccinated and who isn't is ridiculous. Those that are still unvaccinated I assume are also largely those that are anti-mask to begin with.
Personally, the interesting dynamic for me is the only indoor public place I am regularly is a restaurant... where I'm unmasked while sitting anyway. Obviously, I'm not typical (work from home, groceries mostly delivered, no kids/school, etc...).
Agreed with your entire synopsis. The lack of communication and public education by the former Trump administration, and now continued under the Biden administration (who I hoped would be better) has been incredibly disappointing. No public education on how the virus works, about the research and safety of the vaccine, why vaccination is important to halting the spread of the virus and reducing new mutations/variations.
If the new four pronged Indian variant makes it to the US in large enough numbers to start circulating on a large scale I am incredibly worried about the outcomes.
Thank you so much for your post! I had the same "too soon" reaction. I hope I'm wrong... But in your epidemiologist's opinon, when/how will we know whether this was a bad idea or not? 2 weeks from now? 4? Longer?
In the mean time consider monitoring your ventilation in your car, workplace, restaurants, etc. with a highly rated CO2 Sensor. Follow #CO2nClass and #CovidCO2 on Twitter. https://naltic.com/aranet4-co2.html
People want to know why after such a slam in the face about getting vaccines why masks were still forced to begin with if vaccines work so well? I mean that’s one thing not even you has explained well to these people. Idk of there is a way to explain that away. Because even to most people that understand science it doesn’t make much sense. Pardon my subpar writing skills, I’m taking care of family and rushing. Lol
Agreed, this is more stupidly confusing guidance from the CDC. I'd really hoped their messaging would improve with the administration change.
Would have been simple and clear to just say "masks not required outdoors, still required indoors until some specific metric is reached". The "honor" system of who is vaccinated and who isn't is ridiculous. Those that are still unvaccinated I assume are also largely those that are anti-mask to begin with.
Personally, the interesting dynamic for me is the only indoor public place I am regularly is a restaurant... where I'm unmasked while sitting anyway. Obviously, I'm not typical (work from home, groceries mostly delivered, no kids/school, etc...).
Agreed with your entire synopsis. The lack of communication and public education by the former Trump administration, and now continued under the Biden administration (who I hoped would be better) has been incredibly disappointing. No public education on how the virus works, about the research and safety of the vaccine, why vaccination is important to halting the spread of the virus and reducing new mutations/variations.
If the new four pronged Indian variant makes it to the US in large enough numbers to start circulating on a large scale I am incredibly worried about the outcomes.
Agreed. Or as my kids would say, FACTS.
Thank you so much for your post! I had the same "too soon" reaction. I hope I'm wrong... But in your epidemiologist's opinon, when/how will we know whether this was a bad idea or not? 2 weeks from now? 4? Longer?
In the mean time consider monitoring your ventilation in your car, workplace, restaurants, etc. with a highly rated CO2 Sensor. Follow #CO2nClass and #CovidCO2 on Twitter. https://naltic.com/aranet4-co2.html
People want to know why after such a slam in the face about getting vaccines why masks were still forced to begin with if vaccines work so well? I mean that’s one thing not even you has explained well to these people. Idk of there is a way to explain that away. Because even to most people that understand science it doesn’t make much sense. Pardon my subpar writing skills, I’m taking care of family and rushing. Lol