[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Robbie0723

Latest data shows wearing a mask provides some risk reduction for the wearer. CDC is now recommending for personal protection.

Scientific Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 | CDC

Vaccines will not be 100% effective so probably good to continue wearing until infection rates are low.

Pfizer vaccine is no silver bullet - Axios

Part of the big problem with vaccines, is that there are a group of people (a significant minority) who refuse to get them and refuse to get them for their kids.

Herd immunity only works if something like 78% or higher of a given population is immune. If there's a cluster in Kentucky (for example) who rejects the vaccine, and that cluster is in a town where only 40% of them DO get the vaccine, it means there won't be any herd immunity in that town, at all. But those 40% who get vaccinated will have a huge advantage because they will be at the lowest risk of getting sick AND if they get sick anyway, the lowest risk of severe symptoms.

That's pretty much the point of all vaccines. Immunity at the most. Significantly reduced risk and significantly reduced symptoms, at least. But only for those who get vaccinated, AND if at least 78%+ become immune, then the immunity covers the "herd."