New COVID guidelines from CDC - Maybe 2021
 

I have been following the changing guidelines from CDC and we have reached what I consider a milestone. With only a few special case exceptions, like doctor's offices, hospitals, public transportation, etc. It is no longer recommended to wear masks.

This is a big deal and carries implications for getting people back to work.

If you follow the John Hopkins website for tracking data, you know that the US has been virtually untouched by the latest worldwide surge which has hit some countries with very deadly results. The US on the other hand has continued a slow steady decline in daily cases and daily deaths. (See link below for their new and improved website which also includes vaccination rate data)

We, the world, have now reached 1.38 trillion doses of vaccine administered. The US has administered 268 Million and while the curve is tapering off, we are still administering more every day.

For the first time in over a year, I have hope that we will beat this thing into submission. New variants are coming, but for now, I look forward to taking my wife out to eat at a restaurant.

COVID-19 Map - Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

We have been in restaurants since the first day in dining was offered, this year. Playing golf without masks, visiting kids, and grandchildren, for most of 2020, and 2021. Working side by side with over 100 people everyday. So not much different for us. Business can still demand masks.
Disney Started allowed pictures to be taken without masks, first of May. But I think it will be awhile before their mask mandate is lifted.

I understand. And yes, I do intend to respect any business with a "please wear mask" signs posted.

India now the hotbed of 1 out of every 3 new cases of covid 19 thought the epidemic was over for them in February. Don’t count you chickens....

I agree completely.

Finally! I believe the change is only for those who are fully vaccinated. I hope this motivates people who may be on the fence about getting the vaccine.

Welcome back to living. We have been dining out for months, without masks and without the vaccine. I know, I'm one of those ignorant, selfish people who don't buy into the hysteria over a virus with a 99% survival rate.

Dumb stipulation too. Obviously the ones not vaccinated will say they are. They are the same ones who have cried about wearing a mask this past year so will be the first to pull it off and breath on the rest of us

But, but, but. How do we know who is fully vaccinated? Do we carry a "I'm fully vaccinated" ID card? A arm patch? A decal on our car? How do we know? Ask, maybe? That could get a little uncomfortable.

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Well, I travel to a lot of Federal and State Government Facilities.

The morning I go in, before I am allowed in, I have to sign a form stating that I am either A) fully vaccinated and past the 2 week waiting period, or B) have had a negative COVID test in the past 4 days.

So, here's the thing - they ask, you tell, but you do not have to present proof - yet. They've already said in the near future we'll have to display the vaccine card.

This is one of those things where Florida says no vaccine passport, etc, but the card is not a vaccine passport. It's just an acknowledgement you are vaccinated and the ID number from the vial so they can track in case there is an issue with a batch.

Eventually, there has to be a validation done of some sort. Although the numbers are looking better every day..

According to the paper, some restaurant employees and some college students will be learning the answer to that in the near future.

One option: you will be able to know who is not vaccinated because they will be the ones still having symptomatic infections. As long as the hospitals are not overwhelmed, that's okay. Let those who want to bet against a set of loaded dice do so. If they don't want to protect themselves that's their choice but don't punish (limit, restrict, inconvenience, etc) the vaccinated for the choice of the not-vaccinated;

I truly hope we don't get to the point of parsing words like this. Call it a passport or call it a card or call it my papers, it is all the same. If I am required to carry proof of my medical status (Covid, HIV, Measles, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, Flu, etc) in order to move around the country then my privacy is being invaded and I have lost a freedom.

Agreed

If some kind of verification would be needed in the future for proof of covid shots, what stops the need to prove flu shots, measles, etc etc etc, in USA? I know Vaccinations are needed to visit some countries, that is understandable. But what about our HIPA laws? We can’t be forced to release medical information without our approval. And according to local Drs no one can make you get the vaccine or any vaccine for that matter. PS. I got vaccine, but my wife is unable to get it.