Guidelines for house visits and small-group gatherings have mainly been highlighted in the new release from the CDC.
What We Know:
- The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released new guidelines for citizens who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. It is the first federal public health directive focused on resuming normalcy in society. The information was made directly for those who received either both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna shots or the single vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the publication of these rules is the first step and not the final destination.
- The CDC says people are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dosage or single shot. After two weeks have passed, vaccinated citizens may visit others indoors without social distancing or masks. People can also visit those who have not been vaccinated, but only if they are not immunocompromised. Finally, if the vaccinated people have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, they can skip quarantine and testing; however, they must monitor their symptoms for 14 days.
- These recommendations do not suggest that vaccinated people behave as they did pre-pandemic. According to NBC News, the CDC says that to protect the unvaccinated, individuals should still wear masks in public, maintain physical distance, and avoid crowded areas. These persons should also follow the travel recommendations of their local health departments.
While a good portion of the United States has still not been vaccinated, this information brings hope that the pandemic will soon be over. It also urges more citizens to take the vaccine when it is available to them.
