US Coronavirus: ‘We are getting into the monster’s mouth’ by loosening restrictions, says expert

“At the moment, this (UK variant) is about to take off from the United States,” Osterholm told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “Several states have seen 1 or 2% of the viruses identified, now more than 20 to 30%.”

This week, Texas and Mississippi joined the list of states to remove the requirement for citizens to wear masks and expand business capacity.

With vaccine eligibility opening up to most adults in the United States by the summer, support for protective measures against the virus is waning, according to new research.

Although less than a third of people said there should be fewer measures, support for additional restrictions has been declining since November, according to new research by the Pew Research Center.

But health experts say the road to collective immunity still has a long way to go, and masks and other restrictions are still crucial to controlling the pandemic.

A new CDC study demonstrates “that the masks work,” said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, during a meeting at the Covid-19 White House on Friday.

“You have decreases in cases and deaths when you wear masks and there are increases in cases and deaths when you dine in a restaurant in person, and so we defend policies – certainly while we are at this high level of cases – that would listen to public health science” said Walensky.

States vary in terms of loosening restrictions

As the United States approaches widespread vaccinations, many states are changing their policies around Covid-19 restrictions.

In Maine, Governor Janet Mills said on Friday that the state will continue to require masks, but she announced a new structure to slowly reopen the state. Until March 26, the capacity for internal meetings in the state will increase to 50% and outdoors to 75%.

And in West Virginia, starting on Saturday, some companies, including restaurants, bars, gyms and museums may open at 100% capacity, but social distance will still be necessary, Governor Jim Justice said on Friday.

In Texas, any company will be able to open 100% from March 10, and the order for residents to wear masks has been lifted.

Not all state leaders are comfortable with the changes.

“I am deeply concerned about the states that suspend the mask’s mandate because what you are doing is sending out a signal that it is no longer important, and that is not true. In fact, it is just as important as ever,” Governor of Carolina do North Roy Cooper said.

“I would encourage my fellow governors and local officials who are making decisions in some states to maintain the mask’s mandate, set good examples and continue to do responsible things.”

Detroit Mayor refuses Johnson & Johnson vaccine allocation

Many experts celebrated the authorization of the third vaccine against coronavirus: Johnson & Johnson, which is a single injection and is stored at temperatures more convenient for transport and storage.

But there was some setback.

Duggan refused the shipment because the city is able to meet current demand with the supply of the Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna vaccines – even with its administration expanding the vaccine’s eligibility on Thursday to residents 50 and older with chronic medical conditions.

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illnesses caused by Covid-19, and health officials recommend that people get any Covid-19 vaccine offered.

“The day may come in March or April when all Moderna and Pfizer are committed, and we still have people who need a vaccine. And at that point, we are going to set up a Johnson & Johnson center. I don’t see that in the next few weeks” said Duggan.

CDC guidance for vaccinees

CDC guidelines for people who have been vaccinated will arrive soon, said Walensky. The guidance was expected to be released this week.

“Our goal and most importantly, people who have been vaccinated and those who have not yet been vaccinated can understand the measures they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones,” she said.

More than 82 million doses of vaccines have been distributed in the United States and, after a year of life turned upside down, many want to know what the future holds.

“I think people need practical advice on how to deal with their daily lives,” said Julia Marcus, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Harvard. “I think that without guidance, people can make decisions that are not informed.”

While the guidelines do not give the vaccinee permission to start living as if it were 2019 again, according to a Biden government official, the guidelines offer some hope that the end of total social isolation is near.