A return to normal – for those vaccinated

New guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday is bound to be good news for many. The agency said people who have been vaccinated are free to hang out without other vaccinated people, unmasked, indoors, and without having to stay distanced.

What Happened: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky held a Monday press conference where she announced the new recommendations. Those are based on the best available information at the moment, and on the desire of vaccinated individuals to have clear guidance on what is and isn’t safe.

What It Says: The new recommendations loosen up, but don’t eliminate, safety requirements for the 31 million Americans who have been fully vaccinated.

The CDC defines “fully vaccinated” as being two weeks out from having received the last required dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the guidance, those people can gather indoors with others who have also been vaccinated. They don’t need to wear a mask and they don’t have to socially distance.

Additionally, people who have been vaccinated can get together with others who have not been vaccinated, but who are at low risk for severe illness. That basically means vaccinated grandparents can, finally, see their unvaccinated grandchildren.

What It Doesn’t Say: Vaccinated people can’t quite return to normal life just yet. The CDC said they still have to wear masks and follow other COVID precautions when out in public.

In addition, the CDC stopped short of suggesting vaccinated people can go to restaurants or travel without restriction. Some people said that was a misstep on the part of the organization.

You can read more on APNews.