What the Mask?!
Earlier this week CDC recommended resuming mask use in high transmission areas for ALL individuals. I do not consider this a “reversal”. CDC always said their recommendations will change with the science. If Delta subsides, the recommendation could change again.
Why is this happening?
The US is experiencing a rapid surge of cases due to the Delta variant. Several closely monitored outbreaks are showing infection or mild illness in vaccinated persons.
The Delta variant creates a TREMENDOUS amount of virus in the body – far more than previous strains. A great deal of that virus thrives in the nose and throat early in infection. The result is the virus spreads easier (an infected person has more virus = there is more virus to spread) and vaccinated people could become unwilling vectors for spreading disease.
These are the reasons masking is universally recommended where transmission is high.
Is the vaccine still working?
Yes. Without a doubt. Some vaccinated people may test positive and are infected, but do not experience illness. Some experience mild illness. More than 97% of hospitalizations are UNVACCINATED people, hence the attention on all sides of the political spectrum for promoting vaccination.
The vaccine produces antibody response primarily in the blood. In the early stages of infection, those antibodies might not make it to the nose until the virus makes its way into the lungs where your immune response ramps up.
Despite all of this, unvaccinated people are still the cause of the majority of disease transmission.
Where’s the good news?
While Delta causes a sharp, significant surge, it appears to last around eight weeks to peak then declines. If that is the case, Iowa is midway through the surge. However, mass gatherings and population shift like the State Fair and school opening could impact the duration of this surge.
No one wants these changes and I empathize with how disheartening this feels. We are still living in an exceptional situation requiring exceptional response. Hang in there and take extra care for a while longer.
References:
Hospitalizations and Pfizer https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891
Rationale for recommendations https://www.nytimes.com/.../cdc-masks-vaccinated...
Hospital admission prevention https://khub.net/.../v2WsRK3ZlEig/view_file/479607329...
CDC briefing https://www.whitehouse.gov/.../press-briefing-by-white.../