|
|
Recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people who are fully vaccinated (two weeks past their last dose of COVID- 19 vaccine) no longer need to wear a mask most of the time (with exceptions for medical facilities, schools and mass transportation). The CDC made this decision because we continue to see more and more evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines work very well at keeping people who are vaccinated from becoming infected with the virus as well as from passing it to others around them.
The day after the CDC made its announcement, Governor Tim Walz ended the state’s mask mandate. If you are not fully vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, such as most of our local businesses. This is because you are at a higher risk for being exposed to COVID-19, becoming ill, and passing the virus to others.
The end of the mask mandate is exciting for many people who are fully vaccinated and looking forward to seeing the smiling faces of friends and neighbors. I think we can all agree that this new era of mask use is also confusing! I hope that we can all remain kind to one another during this time of transition as we navigate new sets of expectations in public spaces. Some businesses may still require masks for their customers and staff. Some fully vaccinated people may still choose to wear a mask, while others will not. And some people who are living with compromised immune systems or are unable to receive the vaccine due to other health conditions or age are likely nervous that mask-wearing will become less common and that they will be at a greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.
I hope that options like curbside pick-up and delivery remain to accommodate the many needs and preferences of our community members. Let’s do our best to remain respectful of our businesses and one another as we navigate this time together.
Leave a Reply