Most Americans can safely stop wearing masks, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says in new guidelines.
The latest guidance from the CDC flies in the face of what the agency has been saying over the past two years in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency’s new rules come as they roll out the COVID-19 Community Levels, which decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.
Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
Do I Still Need To Wear A Mask When Out In Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens follower the Cdc’s lead, dropping indor mandates that governed mask use inside government buildings abd facilities.
Advances in life-saving vaccines, downward trends in cases and—most importantly—the vigilance and resilience of the Atlanta community have all brought us to this new space of hope,” Dickens said in a news release.
“As we continue to rely on data and science, Atlanta remains forever grateful for our public health professionals, our healthcare workers and our frontline workers who continue to give their all so that we may begin this optimistic path toward our new normal.” He said.
Months ago, the CDC along with the City of Atlanta had released guidance advocating that masks be worn indoors as well as outdoors in crowded areas.
Gov. Brian Kemp has passed laws that ban a mask mandate, so the local restrictions are limited in how far they apply.
Earlier in the year, the CDC caused controversy when it came out with the following guidance:
“Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance,” the CDC’s guidance says.
But that’s no longer the case, especially as COVID numbers continue to plummet around the country.
Final Word
Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area.
If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions.
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