The COVID vaccine is already paving the way for post-pandemic life and, if you haven’t already had the vaccine, your turn may be coming. Of course, the only thing that crosses everyone’s mind after being vaccinated is, “Can I start living my life normally again?” Unfortunately, experts today advise against throwing caution to the wind until everyone is vaccinated. However, there may be some room for maneuver in terms of what is safe to do for those who have already received the coronavirus vaccine. In fact, COVID White House adviser Anthony Fauci, MD, has just given the green light for a new post-vaccination activity. Read on to find out what Fauci says it is safe to do after being vaccinated and, for more essential guidance, don’t do it until a month after your COVID vaccine, experts warn.
The pandemic has placed many of us at a distance of almost two meters from our loved ones, which has been a challenge, to say the least. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns against gestures that promote close contact, such as hugs, as this can help spread COVID. But there is good news for those who are vaccinated. According to Fauci, it is safe for you to hug another vaccinated person.
“So, for example, if you’re vaccinated and have a family member vaccinated, someone who doesn’t live with you, can you really be with them without a mask? Can I sit down and give them a hug and things like that? And the answer it is very likely, of course you can “, said Fauci during a February 18 interview with the MSNBC presenter Andrea Mitchell. And to learn more about the future of the pandemic, that’s when the COVID pandemic will be completely over, experts say.
During a February 8 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fauci clarified that the CDC has not yet released guidelines on what fully vaccinated people can do with other vaccinated people in a group setting. However, he said he believes that this is likely to “change” and that the CDC will release guidance on what is safe in these situations soon. The CDC recently updated the recommendations for vaccinated individuals: On February 10, the agency updated its guidelines to say that vaccinated people no longer needed to be quarantined after being exposed to someone with COVID. And for the most up-to-date information, subscribe to our daily newsletter.
Being vaccinated does not mean that you should go out with someone who is also vaccinated and remove your mask while in a public setting. According to Fauci, the things you can do in public after being vaccinated and the things you can do in a particular “group” of vaccinated people will be very different.
“If you are vaccinated and are with someone who has been vaccinated, the things you can do are much, much more liberal in the sense of removing strict public health measures, compared to when you are out of society,” explained Fauci. “You have to separate what you can do in a certain vacuum and what you can do in society.” And for more information on the safety of the mask, if you see this on your mask, the FDA says to throw it right away.
As Fauci explained in early December, about 75% of Americans need to be vaccinated for the country to achieve collective immunity – which would mean that the virus is so overwhelmed that restrictions can be lifted in public. This will likely take some time, as only about 5% of Americans have been fully vaccinated so far, according to the NPR. Much of this is due to the fact that not everyone is eligible to receive a COVID vaccine now, as states are phasing in vaccines – usually going to health professionals and nursing home residents, followed by those with underlying illnesses and those aged 65 and older. As for the general public, Fauci recently rejected his prediction of when they will be eligible. While waiting for “hunting season” vaccines in April, during a February 16 interview with CNN, Fauci said supply problems could delay that estimate until May or June. And to make sure you’re staying healthy, the CDC says don’t do this within 2 weeks of your COVID vaccine.