Some people get COVID-19 and recover quickly, but some people die from it. You cannot assume that the virus will spare your life, so why take chances?
Everyone should get vaccinated once they are eligible. Our vaccines in the U.S. are safe and effective. Being vaccinated protects you from serious illness, disability and death from COVID-19. Vaccines are our first line of defense, but not enough to end the pandemic.
Today, we are learning that vaccines are inadequate in preventing mild and moderate infection from COVID-19 variants such as the Delta variant. The Delta variant is highly contagious, nearly twice as contagious as previous variants. Even though vaccines in the U.S. do offer substantial protection, fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others.
Additionally, we know that all viruses mutate. Preventing the spread also reduces the development and spread of vaccine evading variants. Community-masking will decrease the chances of losing the protection of vaccines.
In August 6, 2021, the CDC advises everyone, regardless of vaccine status, to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, in response to a rapid and alarming rise in the COVID case and hospitalization rate around the country.
When you wear a mask, you are not just protecting yourself against the odds, you are protecting the high risk, immunocompromised and unvaccinated community. To protect people from severe sickness or getting long-term Covid-19 syndrome, we need to stop transmission of the virus.
While we do have abundant supply of vaccines and PPE in the U.S., the medical system needs protection too. During a surge in covid cases, hospitals can run out of staff, beds and ventilators. Certain medical resources are finite. An overwhelmed hospital will not be able to treat patients effectively. And that can force an affected area to shut down.
To help people see the risk and consequences is a monumental task. MaskTogetherAmerica is committed to supporting the public health community.
Source:
CDC-Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science
Havard Medical School-COVID-19 basics
