The Latest On The COVID-19 Pandemic: Where Are We Now?

We are all collectively hoping the COVID-19 pandemic end is in sight. With every report that California counties have the lowest rates of coronavirus in the country, the importance of the collaboration between our healthcare teams and the effectiveness of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are increasingly clear.

There is still much to do, but our communities are opening up. The sense of joy and relief is palpable.

The CDC reports that Pfizer-BioNTech is 80% effective two weeks after just one dose of the vaccine. San Francisco General Hospital released a positive news announcement stating it currently has no COVID-19 patients. This marks the first time since March 5, 2020, that it has not had COVID-19 patients.

California is Fully Reopening Today

What does that mean? Starting today, almost all of the previous restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be removed.

June 15 Reopening:

- No physical distancing for businesses. Beginning June 15, there will no longer be requirements for physical distancing. This includes customers, guests, and staff.

- No physical distancing is required for activities

- No capacity limits

This means you will not have to stand outside in a line at a grocery store, movie theater, shop, or gym.

- Gatherings of all sizes will be permitted, except for mega events.Indoor and outdoor events and gatherings will be allowed effective June 15. There are still restrictions for either indoor event involving more than 5,000 people, and outdoor events of more than 10,000 participants. These gatherings are known as “mega events,” and restrictions still apply. For indoor mega events, proof of being fully vaccinated or present the negative results from a recent COVID test. Masks are required at indoor events. Outdoor mega events requirements are slightly different. It is recommended that participants in outdoor mega events present proof of being vaccinated, negative COVID test results, or wear a mask. Examples of outdoor mega events include large sporting events, concerts, car shows, music festivals, and parades.

These rules will start June 15, 2021 and continue until October 1, 2021. Any updates to requirements or recommendations will be based on current conditions by September 1, 2021.

What Are the Latest CDC Updates and Guidelines?

The CDC just released an updated set of guidelines for fully vaccinated people. Recommendations are especially impactful regarding mask wearing.

Mask Wearing

The CDC still recommends even those fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks in certain environments. If you are visiting a nursing home, a shelter, a hospital, or a prison, physical distancing and wearing a mask are still necessary, according to the CDC.

The CDC has announced scientific evidence shows that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in the majority of situations. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask in most places. That means the CDC recommends that it is not necessary to wear a mask even indoors in crowded indoor gatherings, (However, if the indoor gathering is a mega event of 5,000 or more people, California will require masks.)

This is a drastic change in mask policy from the CDC, although the evidence supporting the new recommendations has existed for months. The CDC changes policies in a very slow and guarded manner, preferring to be cautious.

Not Vaccinated Individuals Face Continued Restrictions

If you are among those who are waiting on a vaccine, are not eligible to receive a vaccine, or refuse to get vaccinated, you may increasingly feel left out. If you are not vaccinated, in many parts of the US, you must continue physical distancing and mask wearing as well as other Covid restrictions.

Vaccination: The Game-Changer

The CDC’s change in policy on mask wearing and the loosening of other restrictions would not have been possible if it weren’t for the ever-increasing numbers of vaccinated Americans. Particularly in California, the high numbers of vaccinations, in combination with the number of residents who already had Covid, contributed to California’s readiness to fully reopen.

Progress Continues to Overcome the Pandemic

The CDC’s new guidelines offer hope to our nation of citizens exhausted with the economic, societal, and medical devastation of the pandemic. The CDC’s guidelines are suggestions. States are not required to implement the CDC findings. Each state decides and enacts its own COVID policies.

Profound policy changes are happening across the US as more and more are fully vaccinated. The forward progress continues, and California leads the US in reopening.

Today, the Bay Area, along with the rest of the state, will experience a return to the closest thing to normality that we have seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. In certain circumstances, masks are still required, but we are very close to a fully functioning, reopened Bay Area.

Care Indeed offers COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing, PCR testing, Vaccine administration, and for COVID+ care and support. Learn more at https://www.careindeed.com/covid-care-page, or call (650) 352-4007.