Those fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask or physical distance, as recently announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after a single-dose vaccine or after their second dose in a two-dose series, and mask wearing is still subject to any federal, state, or local requirements, as well as business and healthcare settings. Washington County Public Health Administrator Danielle Pettit-Majewski says this new guidance proves the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, “I think it can be a little bit confusing because I think people oftentimes hear the first part, like the CDC says no masks indoors or outdoors and you’re perfectly safe, but if you’re fully vaccinated. So I do get a little bit concerned about people thinking we’re moving away from masking completely and the potential for spread because if you are indoors with other people who are unvaccinated and you are unvaccinated there is still a risk.”

While Pettit-Majewski says the announcement was somewhat confusing, especially for businesses to respond, she adds that it is nice for fully-vaccinated people who have been wanting to get together and embrace loved ones without a mask. As of Tuesday morning, Washington County has 38.4% of its population fully vaccinated, with the state at 38.7%. Pettit-Majewski reminds that all residents 12 and older are eligible to get vaccinated, and the Washington Hy-Vee is offering the Pfizer vaccine for those 12 and older on a walk-in basis at their pharmacy.