Current Events > Biden administration set to relax outdoor mask guidance as early as this week

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https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/26/biden-administration-set-to-relax-outdoor-mask-guidance.html

The Biden administration is slated to relax federal public health guidance on wearing masks outdoors as soon as this week, a source familiar with the plans told NBC News. The announcement, which may come as early as Tuesday, could give separate recommendations for fully vaccinated people and those who have not received a coronavirus vaccine, added the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The administration is still finalizing the guidance, NBC reported. Over the weekend, White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci indicated that the new mask guidance was imminent but also warned that Americans should adhere to public health measures until the CDC makes an assessment. What I believe youre going to be hearing, what the country is going to be hearing soon, is updated guidelines from the CDC, Fauci told ABCs Sunday program This Week With George Stephanopoulos. The CDC is a science-based organization. They dont want to make any guidelines unless they look at the data and the data backs it up. But when you look around at the common sense situation, the risk is really low, especially if youre vaccinated, he said. The CDCs current guidance states that masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others, or with people who live in your household. However, some areas may have mask mandates while out in public, so please check the rules in your local area (such as in your city, county, or state). Additionally, check whether any federal mask mandates apply to where you will be going, the agency adds.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Toronto, said he supports the anticipated guidance from the CDC. He added that more research is showing that very few Covid-19 infections happen in outdoor settings. But masks should still be mandated in indoor settings, he said, until most of the U.S. population is vaccinated and it is difficult for the virus to spread from one person to the next. Its been over a year. We have a very good understanding of who gets infected and how they get infected, he told CNBC in a phone interview. I think its fair to say you dont need to wear a mask outside unless you cant maintain 2 meters or 6 feet of social distancing.



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I'm far from an anti masker and fully support indoor mask policies, but aside from cramped outdoor events, how useful are masks outside really?

Glad this is finally over if we now dont have to wear masks outdoors. I know India is getting hit hard. But I already have been vaccinated so I should be safe no matter what happens there.

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Are we doing the whole "the summer heat will kill the virus" thing again?

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Keep wearing your mask, protect yourself don't do things just because they say so

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Rathinor posted...

I'm far from an anti masker and fully support indoor mask policies, but aside from cramped outdoor events, how useful are masks outside really?

Covid is AIRBORNE

you do know that right?

You can be in a park, tons of people maskless babbling pushing their air out, wind pushes it towards your nostrals...

guess what happens?

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Were_Wyrm posted...

Are we doing the whole "the summer heat will kill the virus" thing again?

Did you just not read the article?

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CM_Ponch posted...

Did you just not read the article?

I did, but the timing is going to lead to a certain group of people thinking that is the reasoning.

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Rathinor posted...

I'm far from an anti masker and fully support indoor mask policies, but aside from cramped outdoor events, how useful are masks outside really?

Wasn't that the recommendations were for wearing one outdoors anyways?
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I legit thought that no one was really recommending them when you're outside in normal circumstances, anyway. >_>

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it's weird to me that americans wear masks outside

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Choco posted...

it's weird to me that americans wear masks outside

Don't Asian countries?
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