Doctor Is In by Dr. Adil Manzoor OP/ED
Should I wear a mask? Do I have to wear a mask?
Well, these questions will definitely be far easier to answer now, in most states at least, that the CDC has eased the restrictions and guidelines on mask-wearing. Now, fully vaccinated people can resume most activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart. This set of people can even attend small parties with unvaccinated people.
Before I continue, I feel like I should point out one major fact. This guidance is strictly and only for vaccinated people. The CDC, doctors, every reputable health body, and any fairly sensible person isn’t even going to entertain the idea of an unvaccinated person binning a mask.
So, yes, my problem is definitely with the CDC making it possible for vaccinated people to go without masks in public. Let’s take it right to the start.
Why do we wear masks? If you said to limit the spread of COVID, you’re absolutely correct. We wear masks to limit the infection and, in turn, the death rate of the virus.
Now, to my next questions. Is COVID still out there? Are people still getting infected and dying in numbers? Are there new strains coming up?
The answer to every single one of these questions is a resounding yes. If the point of wearing masks is to limit the spread of COVID, then does it make any sense to remove that mandate when COVID is still very much around? Look, I know the numbers have mostly been dropping since the distribution of the vaccine started, but there are still tens of thousands getting the virus. And a major problem many scientists have now is the spread of new, more transmissible strains of the virus.
COVID is still very much around. We are heading to summer, a period you and I know the virus is absolutely going to love – all that crowd, rubbing against each other, the virus is probably rejoicing right now.
Sooner or later, the masks have to come off. But that should only be when there’s a very reasonable number of people vaccinated. Only about 39% of the population is vaccinated currently; that’s impressive, considering many didn’t even expect that a vaccine will be available by this time of the year. But is that figure enough to cause the CDC to drop the mask mandate – hell no.
We need enough people to be vaccinated, upwards of 60%, I believe, before we start making these bold and unnecessary moves. That’s exactly what the CDC’s move is – bold, and more importantly, unnecessary. The masks are doing a job, so why remove them?
Again, I understand that this guidance is for vaccinated people, but let’s be real, what are the chances only vaccinated people will take off their masks? It’s not like there’s a huge mark on the forehead of vaccinated people to distinguish them from unvaccinated ones. That said, and knowing the great United States of America and its citizens, many unvaccinated people will take full advantage of it. It’s not like we’re a country with a history of making small sacrifices for the greater good.
Many people kicked, and are still kicking, by the way, against the masks in the first place. Many of them only wore masks when they had to. Can you assure me those set of people will keep their masks on, without being vaccinated, now that the CDC removed the mask mandate on vaccinated people? What I’m driving at is, many people will just misuse this new guidance, and that can cause another spike. I don’t know about you, but another spike is the very last thing I want to hear right now. I don’t even want to think about it.
Either way, I’m still going to appeal to businesses, especially those with a large crowd in them, to require masks still. It will go a long way. And luckily, the CDC has also mandated that the requirements of businesses be respected.
That will be all for today. Stay safe.
This article was written by Dr. Adil Manzoor DO, a Board Certified Internist & Board Eligible Pediatrician, who works as a Hospitalist, and Emergency Room Physician. He is also the current President of Garden State Street Medicine, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide free preventive and acute urgent care services for the homeless. He is also the co-founder of his own unique medical practice Mobile Medicine NJ.
References
· https://www.washington post.com/health/2021/04/23/getting-covid-after-vaccine/
