The COVID-19 is one of the world’s most controversial pandemic in history partly due to the conditions surrounding its outbreak and many alleged cover-ups but the worst part of the pandemic is the necessitated lock down which ultimately forced businesses and individuals to stay indoor for months while numerous people lost their precious lives due to the pandemic.

However the breakthrough vaccines to combat the pandemic was a good news the entire globe has been waiting for in a really long time and for the first time, the world is a little at ease with some countries already opening up for economic growth considering the devastating effects the pandemic had on the economy of different countries.

Vaccines are being distributed across the American states and counties as well as other parts of the world and even Africa which mean its a matter of time before the entire world to normal as it formerly was.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an update to its existing guidelines for navigating social distancing and gathering at events and concerts.

The health agency made it known that those who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can gather indoors in small groups without wearing masks or necessarily distancing from one another.

CDC made this known during a joint briefing by the White House COVID-19 response team on Monday.

As for those declared to have been “fully vaccinated”, this meant they it’s been two weeks since they’ve taken their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or at least two weeks since they’ve received their first dosage of either of the vaccines.

The CDC made this confident claims because of data that showed that those who’ve taken the vaccines have low chances of further spreading the virus.

They’re also at a much lower risk of getting seriously ill even if they eventually contract the virus or get sick from it.

The vaccine doses reached about 90.4 million people in the United States alone.

What to do when vaccinated

Even though being vaccinated doesn’t automatically mean your life can go back to what it used to be back in 2019 but there’s a good news and that’s the fact that more people will get vaccinated in the country and around the world which mean its just a matter of time before the world will enter into normalcy.

It was really hard considering how many events, concerts, anniversaries and even programs that were paused or halted or canceled altogether due to the pandemic but when more people get vaccinated, everyone will stand a better chance afterwards.

According to an updated guideline of the CDC concerning social distancing, people who have been full vaccinated can now have a small indoor gathering or even outdoor gathering without wearing a face mask or social distancing – but with others who have also been vaccinated fully. That removes the limits of gathering with people from more than two households. 

Also you’re able to visit unvaccinated people from a single house in as much as no one in that household is at an increased risk of a serious illness if they ever contract the COVID-19 however, its a proper thing to abstain from those who have underlying health issues and elderly who are much at risk.

Fully vaccinated people who are exposed to someone with the virus don’t need to quarantine or get a test if they’re asymptomatic. However, if they develop symptoms of COVID-19, they should still do both.

One important takeaway from this is the fact that getting vaccinated doesn’t automatically build a shield around you from contracting the coronavirus from anyone. It’s in fact very possible to still contract the virus despite being vaccinated or even being reinfected if you’ve recovered from an early infection.

The vaccines are thought to protect against the variants, but they aren’t a guarantee. “Early data show the vaccines may work against some variants but could be less effective against others,” the CDC says. 

Vaccinated or not, the rule is still the same

Despite being vaccinated, it’s still very important to continue wearing your face mask when going to public places as well as socially distancing yourself from others in public areas especially if you’re in the midst of unvaccinated people who are at an increased risk of severe illness or even death or those who live with those who are at such risk. As you can see, its a matter of common sense.

“There are some activities that fully vaccinated people can begin to resume now in the privacy of their own homes,” CDC director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement, as previously reported by The Wall Street Journal. “Everyone — even those who are vaccinated — should continue with all mitigation strategies when in public settings.”

Traveling even though vaccinated

The CDC says you should continue to avoid traveling, both domestically and internationally. Travel is still considered a high-risk activity and should be avoided whenever possible. In the event you need to travel, you must follow the CDC’s guidelines.

Visiting restaurants and bars

There are some states in the US that have lifted the restrictions placed on bars and restaurants and other public places like museums and other kinds of businesses deemed nonessential.

However, the CDC advised that you should try as much as possible to avoid going to bars and restaurants even if you’ve been vaccinated.

There was a report that the agency released that showed that areas that reopened either indoor or outdoor dinning saw an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The usage of face mask is still very essential especially in public places either you’re with people that have been vaccinated or not because they could potentially transmit the disease to others who might also transmit to others and so on and so forth which will ultimately lead to more cases and even deaths.

The CDC recommends that you wear your mask at all times in a restaurant or bar, except when you are actively eating or drinking however doing that outdoor or in a public place with many people put you and others at risk which is why its safe to eat in your home.

However, it’s up to you to use your best judgment when deciding to dine at restaurants, based on your own personal risk factors and risk tolerance but also it’s a collective responsibility to ensure the safety of others by not being reckless and helping the health agencies in flattening the curves.

Going to events and parties

Each states/countries have their own guidelines concerning events and gatherings but the general rule according to the CDC is that everyone should avoid mid-size to large crowds of people whether they are vaccinated or not.

Any event that gathers multiple households together increases your chances of getting the virus, so the fewer people you gather with, the lower your risk. This is especially true in small spaces and environments with poor ventilation, like movie theaters, hair salons and some workplaces.

Fully vaccinated? What’s next

You’re considered fully vaccinated after two weeks of taking a full dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (basically the officially approved vaccines in the country).

You should continue to wear your face mask and socially distance yourself from others who aren’t from your household and also quarantine yourself if you’ve tested positive – because being vaccinated doesn’t mean you won’t contract the virus or even get reinfected.

These are the same guidelines that have been in place for nearly a year now, but as more people get vaccinated, they will start to loosen.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute to professional health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.