Vaccinated Americans are given the liberty to gather round in small numbers without wearing their masks, thanks to the recent CDC Guidelines easing COVID-19 restriction for people who are completely immunized against the notorious virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the long-awaited guidelines, which will lessen the fatigue vaccinated people have from the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken a big toll on the United States.

According to the vaccine tracker of NPR, 9.2 percent of Americans have already been vaccinated of both doses. Moreover, a total of 90,351,750 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and 78 percent of the overall vaccine supply was inoculated in the United States as of writing.

CDC Guidelines for Vaccinated Americans

Aside from the small gathering at home without physical distancing and masks, USA Today noted that fully vaccinated individuals may not quarantine or take a COVID-19 test if they were exposed to a group of people who have the disease unless they are symptomatic. However, individuals who have been exposed should also be mindful and observe the symptoms for 14 days even if they are not subjected to quarantine.

The New York Times also mentioned that Senior Citizens or grandparents would also benefit from the new guidelines as (as long as they are vaccinated) because they will be allowed to be visited by their family members or grandchildren, who are also required to have both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, to ensure their safety and avoid the spread of the virus. However, the visit should be local because CDC still does not recommend traveling for Americans whether they are unvaccinated or vaccinated.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky shared a statement in their release saying that "people want to get vaccinated to get vaccinated so they can get back to doing the things they enjoy with people they love." Walensky added that there are activities available for fully vaccinated individuals which they can practice at home. However, she also emphasized that whether they are vaccinated or not, when an individual is diving into a crowd or in a public place, the safety protocols such as masks and physical distancing must be implemented so that the mitigation of the spread of the virus is still done.

USA Today mentioned president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Richard Besser, said that "the new guidance from the CDC is a welcome news to the nation that is understandably tired of the pandemic," adding that it is also intended for those who miss going back or safely resume normal activities.

Other Guidelines

The New York Times noted what Dr. Walensky added, saying that their agency is "trying to restrain travel hoping that their next set of guidance will have more science around what vaccinated people can do, perhaps travel being among them."

Aside from visiting locally, permission to have a small gathering without wearing masks, and physical distancing, CDC guidelines also include that vaccinated people should still practice these things to avoid having COVID-19:

  • wear well-fitted masks
  • maintain physical distancing with people who they don't live with,
  • avoid medium and large gatherings, get tested if symptomatic
  • abide by the guidelines of the employers
  • and follow CDC travel regulations requirements and recommendations.

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