Why must you wear a mask even after two vaccine doses?

Incited by raised vaccine coverage no. and quickly decreasing Covid-19 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US's top health agency, stated on May 13 that it lifted masking and social distancing practices for completely vaccinated people. But, with the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the nation, issues are being raised if Surgical Face Mask relaxations should be updated.

Besides the US, many different countries like Israel, England, and Bhutan have made masks non-mandatory in public places. Still, some experts and Face mask manufacturer in India says that using a mask is a sensible precaution as it's still likely to get affected even after being wholly vaccinated against Covid-19.

WHAT ARE MASKING RULES IN THE US AND THE WORLD?

On May 13, the CDC issued a statement that sufficiently vaccinated people can cautiously do most actions outdoors without wearing face masks or the obligation to practice social distancing. The decision was inspired by a reduction in virus cases and the massive availability of the three Covid-19 vaccines, namely, PfizerBioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen.

But, the US once again witness’s growth in Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations, and mortality. As of July 22, 35 per cent of US divisions are encountering massive levels of community transmission. Covid-19 events are on the increase in almost 90 per cent of US jurisdictions, with outbreaks reported in sections with low vaccination coverage.

The CDC states the fresh hike in cases is because of the speedy spread of the extremely transmissible B.1.617.2 or Delta variant, which was first recorded in India.

Notwithstanding a surge in cases, the CDC has not changed its masking guidelines. Still, several states in the US have declared individual policies as per their requirements, making the wearing of masks mandatory in public places or indoors.

Israel was the first country to uplift the compulsory face mask rule when it observed low rates of significant Covid-19 disease in April, and 70 per cent of its residents got vaccinated. One of the originating countries and the worst hit at the pandemic, China made masks non-compulsory after putting the disease under restraint through strict lockdowns.

Similarly, New Zealand also hindered the extent of Covid-19 among its people using non-pharmaceutical interferences like tracking, tracing, and isolating the patients. The country also has a compulsory mask law. Bhutan shifted to a mask-free nation after vaccinating 90 per cent of its people in just a couple of weeks.

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY ABOUT MASKING?

Though Covid-19 vaccines significantly lessen the chance of critical illness and death, few experts said wearing a mask is a sensible precaution since becoming affected is still plausible.

The US surgeon officer at the time of the Trump administration, Jerome Adams, said the CDC crucially requires updating its masking guidance to fight the accelerated increase in Covid-19 infections induced by the Delta variant. In an article by Washington Post, Adams explained that when the CDC changed its direction on wearing masks in May, most Americans were delighted and relieved. This announcement was based on data confirming that the coronavirus vaccines were very efficient at limiting death rates or severe disease and restraining transmission of the virus. People were no longer needed to wear a mask in most public settings if they are vaccinated. 

According to Dr William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, an older person or someone with health issues should wear a mask when visiting a public place. On May 13, the CDC guidelines mentioned that someone who has a medical situation or takes medicines that result in the weakening of the immune system might need a mask for protection even after they are fully vaccinated.

CAN VACCINATED PEOPLE IN INDIA REMOVE MASKS?

In India, over eight crore people have taken two doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Also, as several state governments have loosened up the Covid-related restrictions, using masks and practising social distancing is mandatory.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says that anyone who has taken the Covid-19 vaccine must remain to practise the Covid-appropriate operation.

Further, with just eight crores fully vaccinated out of over 130 crore population, masks are essential, and so are the social distancing rules. India is still to follow all these rules for now.

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