MADISON, Wis.– “I received my vaccine … what now?”
More than half of Wisconsin’s 65-year-old population is now fully vaccinated and they have doubts. Who can they see? What can they do? Where can they go? What to alter?
All doctors agree that masks are an absolutely essential part of life, even after vaccination. However, some aspects of daily life can change as soon as you receive your injections.
Dr. Jeff Pothof, Director of Quality at UW Health, spoke to News 3 Now this afternoon about life after the vaccine: specifically, what is safe and what is not.
Family / friends reunions: Proceed with caution.
Dr. Pothof explained that there is no completely safe way to interact with others at the moment, considering that more than 90% of Wisconsin residents have not yet been vaccinated. Internal meetings are relatively safe if everyone is vaccinated.
“Even in a meeting with low-risk people, you may be facilitating an over-disseminating event,” explained Pothof. “Wherever these people go next, they may be spreading the disease to other people.”
Dining out: Safer, for vaccinated people.
Pothof said that even after vaccination, people can still put waiters at risk, especially if workers in the service industry still don’t get the vaccines. In Wisconsin, many are still waiting.
Grocery shopping: Reasonably low risk.
Pothof noted that supermarkets have already done a good job of distancing customers and limiting interaction. He said the risk is low, even among the elderly.
“As long as 7 to 10 days have passed after your last dose, you remain at a distance and wear your mask, I would feel very comfortable telling people that it is okay to do this,” said Pothof.
Traveling: Relatively safe.
“If you’re vaccinated and are going to fly somewhere inside your bubble, I wouldn’t worry too much,” said Pothof, about taking a trip on spring break.
He said that airports are generally well spaced, so the main concern is the number of people you interact with at the your vacation destination. Vacation homes and condos are safer than hotels, and walking on the beach is safer than walking in a crowded park. Pothof says you must use common sense and plan ahead.
Embracing the extended family: Wait a little longer.
Pothof said he understands that this is a difficult question. However, he said we made it this far, so it is safer to wait another three to four months, even if you are vaccinated, until the rest of Wisconsin accompanies you. After 75 to 80 percent of people in the state are vaccinated, life can probably go back to something more normal.
The end result:
Pothof said there are two reasons for still wearing a mask and social distance:
- To protect others who have not yet been vaccinated
- To prevent the virus from mutating and creating variants that could negate the effectiveness of your vaccine
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