By Aaron Miller-
U.S president, Joe Biden, has provided an outdoor mask free privilege to fully vaccinated Americans as America gradually eases from the lockdown.
In a major decision capable of creating a two tier U.S society, Biden said vaccinated Americans can go outdoors without a face mask, except in big crowds, as he attempts to steer a lockdown-weary nation closer to normal life.
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Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the president sought to assure the American public of the evidence provided by science that the risk of coronavirus infection is very low for vaccinated people in outdoor spaces.
“Starting today, if you’re fully vaccinated and you’re outdoors and not in a big crowd, you no longer need to wear a mask,” said Biden, beside a tree and lawn, in warm spring sunshine.
“I want to be absolutely clear. If you’re in a crowd, like a stadium or at a conference or a concert, you still need to wear a mask, even if you’re outside. But beginning today, gathering with a group of friends in a park, going for a picnic as long as you are vaccinated and outdoors, you can do it without a mask.”
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Defending the importance of respecting scientific judgement, president Biden added: “The CDC is able to make this announcement because our scientists are convinced by the data that the odds of getting or giving the virus to others is very, very low if you’re both fully vaccinated and out in the open air.”
Biden’s urge comes despite 15 U.S state governors who have reportedly allowed state orders requiring people to wear face coverings in public to expire. His announcement could spark defiance in those states where residents whose mindsets have already embraced the relaxation of stringent laws in the fight against the deadly virus that has gripped America since the beginning of the pandemic.
Biden praised the progress of the U.S against the virus since he took office on 20 January, with 215m vaccine shots administered and cases and deaths “down dramatically”. Two thirds of elderly people are now fully vaccinated, he said, resulting in an 80% drop in deaths and 70% drop in hospitalisations among that group.
In a persuasive tone calling Americans to be vaccinated, Mr. Biden said:
“Don’t let up now,” he said. “Keep following the guidance. Go get your vaccination now.”
Engagement in outdoor physical activities alone or with members of their household was additionally permitted for fully vaccinated Americans to dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households and attend a small outdoor gathering with both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
The CDC still wants vaccinated individuals to wear masks at live performances, spectator sports and other crowded outdoor events, as well as in indoor spaces such as a hairdressers, cinemas, museums, shopping malls and full-capacity services at houses of worship.
The guidance defines fully vaccinated as two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. More than half of US adults have had at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, and more than a third have been fully vaccinated.
Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, told a press briefing on Tuesday: “If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend a small outdoor gathering with people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, or dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households, the science shows if you are vaccinated, you can do so safely unmasked.
“Generally, for vaccinated people, outdoor activities without a mask are safe. However, we continue to recommend masking in crowded outdoor settings and venues, such as packed stadiums and concerts where there is decreased ability to maintain physical distance and where many unvaccinated people may also be present. We will continue to recommend this until widespread vaccination is achieved.”
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Walensky added: “Until more people are vaccinated and while we still have more than 50,000 cases a day, mask use indoors will provide extra protection.”
For most of the past year, the CDC had been advising Americans to wear masks outdoors if they are within 6ft of each other. The change in guidance was welcomed by experts.
Mike Saag, an infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told the Associated Press: “It’s the return of freedom. It’s the return of us being able to do normal activities again. We’re not there yet, but we’re on the exit ramp. And that’s a beautiful thing.”
More people need to be vaccinated and concerns persist about variants and other possible shifts in the pandemic. But Saag said the new guidance was a sensible reward following the distribution of effective vaccines and about 140m Americans coming forward to get their shots.
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