Key TakeawaysMany states are lifting mask mandates.Some states have banned mask mandates in government buildings.Masks are still required on planes, buses, and trains.
Key Takeaways
Many states are lifting mask mandates.Some states have banned mask mandates in government buildings.Masks are still required on planes, buses, and trains.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear face masks in most situations to protect against the spread of COVID-19.Since that announcement, many states lifted their month-long mask mandates.
Stores also have their own policies, making it clear that masking is likely to be around at least for the foreseeable future. Here’s what’s happening with mask-wearing across the country.
Science and Politics Dictate Policies
States like New York and Colorado are “making decisions based on science and are recognizing that people who are vaccinated present little risk to the spread of disease and their own health,” Halkitis says. As a result, they’ve lifted mask mandates in outdoor spaces.
Many, including California, still require masks in indoor spaces, particularly where large groups are gathered. “That is because, in spaces where there are many people, it is possible there are individuals who are not vaccinated,” Halkitis says. “As a result, they may continue to spread the disease and become sick themselves.”
What Mask Mandate Changes Mean for Kids
California Won’t End Its Mask Mandate Until June
California health officials announced on May 20 that the state will not lift its mask mandate until June 15.
“This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities,” Health and Human Service Secretary Mark Ghaly said ina statement. The state lifted its outdoor mask mandate, with an exception for crowded events and unvaccinated people, on May 3.
How Immunocompromised People Are Navigating New CDC Mask Guidance
While the state received some criticism, doctors say the decision makes sense for such a big state that is still reporting hundreds of COVID-19 cases a day.“Decisions should be based on the most accurate and recent data about the number of cases and risk of transmission,”Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells Verywell.
Some States Banned Mask Mandates
Here’s How Doctors With Kids Are Navigating the New Mask Guidance
It’s unclear at this point what impact the mask mandate ban will have on COVID-19 cases. “If we continue to see a decline in cases, it probably won’t be detrimental,” Watkins says. “But if cases start to increase, then the need for mask mandates will have to be reconsidered.”
Banning Mask Mandates in Schools
Texas and Iowa banned school districts and individual schools from requiring that students and staff wear masks. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on May 18 forbidding governmental entities in the state, including school districts, from requiring or mandating that masks be worn.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also signed a bill to prohibit mask mandates in schools. “The state of Iowa is putting parents back in control of their child’s education and taking greater steps to protect the rights of all Iowans to make their own health care decisions,” Reynolds said on Twitter after signing the bill.
Public schools in Iowa can require mask-wearing in schools through June 4. After that, schools can’t require masks on campus.
Halkitis calls mask bans in schools “deplorable” and “politically motivated.” “We should think very carefully about what we’re doing in our schools,” he says.
“The problem is that children under age 12 still can’t be vaccinated, so they, unfortunately, are at increased risk of getting COVID-19,” Watkins adds.
There is also no information right now on how COVID-19 can impact children in the long run, Halkitis says. “We should take every step and precaution possible until we have reassurance that the vaccine is safe [for children] and we vaccinate all children attending schools,” he says.
What This Means For YouMask policies currently differ from state to state and even store to store. Because there is so much variation, it’s still a good idea to carry a mask with you at all times—even if you’re fully vaccinated—just to be safe.
What This Means For You
Mask policies currently differ from state to state and even store to store. Because there is so much variation, it’s still a good idea to carry a mask with you at all times—even if you’re fully vaccinated—just to be safe.
Store Policies Vary
Many big chain stores likeKroger, Starbucks, andHome Depotdropped mask mandates for people who are fully vaccinated. But, if a state requires masks, the store’s customers must wear them, too.
At the same time, businesses with mask mandates in place are able to enforce them in states without mask mandates. “Private businesses can make whatever rules about masks they want,” Watkins says. “No matter what they decide, some customers will approve and some won’t.”
How Businesses Are Adjusting to New CDC Mask Guidelines
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.When you’ve been fully vaccinated.California All.Tracking COVID-19 in California.State of Texas.Governor Abbott issues executive order prohibiting government entities from mandating masks.State of Florida.Governor Ron DeSantis signs landmark legislation to ban vaccine passports and stem government overreach.State of Florida.Office of the Governor Executive Order number 21-102.The Iowa Legislature.House file 847 - enrolled.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.When you’ve been fully vaccinated.California All.Tracking COVID-19 in California.State of Texas.Governor Abbott issues executive order prohibiting government entities from mandating masks.State of Florida.Governor Ron DeSantis signs landmark legislation to ban vaccine passports and stem government overreach.State of Florida.Office of the Governor Executive Order number 21-102.The Iowa Legislature.House file 847 - enrolled.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.When you’ve been fully vaccinated.California All.Tracking COVID-19 in California.State of Texas.Governor Abbott issues executive order prohibiting government entities from mandating masks.State of Florida.Governor Ron DeSantis signs landmark legislation to ban vaccine passports and stem government overreach.State of Florida.Office of the Governor Executive Order number 21-102.The Iowa Legislature.House file 847 - enrolled.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.When you’ve been fully vaccinated.
California All.Tracking COVID-19 in California.
State of Texas.Governor Abbott issues executive order prohibiting government entities from mandating masks.
State of Florida.Governor Ron DeSantis signs landmark legislation to ban vaccine passports and stem government overreach.
State of Florida.Office of the Governor Executive Order number 21-102.
The Iowa Legislature.House file 847 - enrolled.
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