America and Science Have Won
DETROIT- What a crazy twenty four hours it has been eh? In the past twenty four hours, the CDC revised their guidance stating that vaccinated people could ditch the mask in basically all situations. In addition, Governor Whitmer of Michigan (the state I reside in) said that vaccinated people could forego their masks in basically all situations as well. Governor Whitmer also said the broader mask mandate would expire on July 1st. Why did the CDC make their policy change? Well, it was long overdue.
A Modern Miracle
As I have written frequently, these vaccines are amazing. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are over 90% effective and they prevent nearly 100% of hospitalizations and death related to COVID-19 infection. In addition, they are remarkably good at stopping COVID-19 spread as well. Due to all of these facts, the pressure has been on the CDC to relax their mask provision on vaccinated people and for good reason. The chance of catching covid-19 if you are vaccinated is slim, and even if you do catch covid-19 while vaccinated, you will likely not die or go to the hospital. Furthermore, as shown in countries like Israel, vaccinated people don’t really spread covid-19 either. Now that we have nearly 60% of the adult population with at least one jab, cases and hospitalizations are free falling. A study by the Cleveland Clinic found that 99.7% of hospitalized COVID patients in their facilities were unvaccinated. 99.7%. Vaccines work, and these vaccines are a miracle. For the past couple months, the CDC in my view has been far too reluctant to parrot the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, there was no incentive for those on the fence to get vaccinated as the CDC largely said that nothing would change in your life if you did get vaccinated. Just a couple days ago, I was speaking to a friend about the CDC and their guidance and I was talking about how there needed to be a shift. There needed to be a shift to incentivize people to get the vaccine and to show how truly spectacular these vaccines are. The fact that we produced these vaccines in less than a year, and have distributed them to nearly 60% of the population in five months is an amazing feat for America. While the United States started off rocky in its battle against COVID, we are now putting COVID in the rearview mirror due to fantastic scientific breakthroughs.
Vaxxed? No mask! Wait, how is that gonna work?
As soon as the overdue guidance was announced, many (including myself) began wondering how is this going to be enforced. Won’t unvaccinated people who hate masks just walk into stores pretending they’re vaccinated? Perhaps. However, we have reached a point where the vaccines are more accessible than ever. When I got my 2nd dose of Moderna yesterday at CVS, the CVS there was accepting walk-ins. Anybody could walk on in and get a covid jab. For those who want the COVID vaccine, it has never been easier and it has now even been approved for 12+. For those who willingly don’t want it, that’s a risk that they’re taking. The people who are willingly unvaccinated should not hold up the immense progress that we’re making in reopening our economy and getting back to our lives. The truth is simple. If you’re vaccinated, you don’t have to be worried about the unvaccinated people. Your vaccine is a scientific miracle, and it will protect you from COVID-19. However, if some who are vaccinated still want to wear their mask we shouldn’t judge them. Even though I’m vaccinated, I will have no problem wearing a mask in planes or if a business asks me too. For those that are unvaccinated and are thinking about the vaccine, I encourage you to book an appointment today.
The fact that a green light has been given for vaccinated people to shed their masks is a major turning point in this pandemic. Only a couple days ago, the CDC was defending highly restrictive guidance on summer camps. Now, the CDC has given the green light to many Americans to return to their pre-pandemic lives. While some messages from the CDC have been confusing throughout this pandemic, this latest guidance change will encourage others to get the jab. A couple acquaintances of mine were hesitant to get the vax, but now that they see the light at the end of the tunnel, they decided to go get the jab. I expect that many others in the country are more energized to get their vax as it means a return a pre-pandemic life.
Sacrifices
We have all made sacrifices in the past 14 months. Events cancelled. Schools closed. Businesses closed. Masks indoors. However, as I wrote in a previous article, the post pandemic era will be roaring. While the pandemic isn’t entirely over yet, we have entered a phase where COVID is receding. Businesses opening again. Stadiums filling up. Restaurants busy like they used to be. As President Biden said yesterday, Americans will be doing what they’re known for again — smiles. Thank god for that. So, as we enter this post-pandemic phase, let’s all give each other a little bit of grace. If someone decides to wear a mask a little bit longer, let’s respect that. If someone sheds the mask after being vaxxed, let’s respect that too. Let’s enjoy the little things in life again, like smiles. We have all made sacrifices, but America and Science have won. The light at the end of the tunnel is here. America is moving again.
God bless the United States of America
-Nathan Clark
