California and US CDC Advise Masks Plus Vaccines
Masking Even for Vaccinated Individuals
California Department of Public Health and CDC on Masking by Vaccinated people
Note: This guidance is effective July 28, 2021 and supersedes all prior face coverings guidance.
With the emergence of the more contagious Delta variant in California which now accounts for over 80% of cases sequenced, cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19 are rising throughout the state, especially amongst those that remain unvaccinated.
To achieve universal masking in indoor public settings, we are recommending that fully vaccinated people also mask in indoor public settings across California. This adds an extra precautionary measure for all to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, especially in communities currently seeing the highest transmission rates. Local health jurisdictions may be more restrictive than this guidance.
Masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:
-
On public transit[1] (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
-
Indoors in K-12 schools[2], childcare[3]
-
Emergency shelters[4] and cooling centers[5]
Masks are required for all individuals, in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status (and surgical masks are recommended):
-
-
State and local correctional facilities and detention centers[7]
-
Homeless shelters[8]
-
Long Term Care Settings[9] & Adult and Senior Care Facilities[10]
Additionally, masks are required* for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).
Read the complete California Department of Public Health July 28, 2021 order here.
300% Increase in New Covid Cases in US
Newest Covid 19 advisory from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
June 19–July 23, 2021, COVID-19 cases increased approximately 300% nationally, followed by increases in hospitalizations and deaths, driven by the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant* of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
CDC recommends all unvaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor settings. Based on emerging evidence on the Delta variant (2), CDC also recommends that fully vaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. Fully vaccinated persons might consider wearing a mask in public indoor settings, regardless of transmission level, if they or someone in their household is immuno compromised or is at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated (including children aged <12 years who are currently ineligible for vaccination). July 27, 2021
Read the complete CDC July 27, 2021 report here
July 29, 2021 – According to the Washington Post, internal CDC analysis indicates that vaccinated people infected with the delta version, even if they are asymptomatic, carry high viral loads. They are able to transmit the virus to others, including unvaccinated children. This CDC report may be made public at some point, but nevertheless was the basis for the CDC’s July 27 reversal of its advise on masking of vaccinated people. Read the article here.
