Photo: KENA BETANCUR / AFP / Getty Images
President Biden urged all Americans to “get vaccinated” Tuesday, citing new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which says that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID – 19 can resume some outdoor activities without wearing masks.
All US residents of 16 years or older are now eligible for the COVID vaccine – , Y the president has set July 4 as the deadline to resume some version of life as normal.
“While we still have a long way to go in this fight, and a lot of work to do in May and June to get to July 4, we have made amazing progress, thanks to all of you, the American people. taught ”. said Biden outside the White House.
The president said that Vaccines are saving “thousands of lives,” particularly the lives of older Americans who are most vulnerable to the virus. Almost 200 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered and almost the . % of the US adult population has received at least one of their injections, according to the CDC.
No masks, unless they are in places with a lot of public
The United States health authorities concluded this Tuesday that Residents who are fully vaccinated can do without the mask when outdoors, except when there are large crowds.
The change in the guidelines of the Centers for the Control and Prevention of Diseases of the United States (CDC), which are not mandatory but mere recommendations, It is a consequence of the rapid rate of vaccination in the country, with the 37% of the adult population already fully immunized.
“As of today, if you are fully vaccinated and are outdoors, without being surrounded by a large crowd, you no longer have to carry mask ”, said President Biden, in a speech on the state of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
Biden described the recommendation announced by the CDC as a sign of the “incredible progress” he has made. United States in the four months of the covid vaccination campaign – 19.
Biden is confident that the new recommendation will help convince those who still have doubts about getting the vaccine, a group that includes up to 40% of the country’s population, according to a poll on Sunday by CBS News.
“Vaccines are used to save your life and that of those around you, but they also help us to return to normality ”, stressed Biden, who gave his opinion that the CDC announcement is a “great reason” to overcome skepticism against immunization.
The new recommendation refers to those Americans who have already received all the necessary doses of covid vaccines – and have waited long enough for them to take effect, that is, two weeks after the last puncture.
What can you do without a mask, if you are fully vaccinated?
People can do without the mask when they are walking, running or cycling in the open air, whether they are alone or accompanied by the people they live with.
”), They can also take it off if they go to small outdoor meetings or dinners on restaurant terraces with friends or family, whether the others have received all the doses or not.
Where it is advisable to keep it on is at outdoor events with large crowds, such as concerts, parades, or sports games such as baseball.
”), And they should continue to wear it in closed spaces, such as restaurants and bars, museums, cinemas, hairdressers , gyms or churches; in addition to public transportation or indoor gatherings with people who may not be vaccinated.
However, the CDC considers such indoor gatherings to be “safe” for those who are fully vaccinated and wear a mask, while for those who are not immunized they continue to pose many risks of contagion.
With information from EFE