NY Governor Cuomo Responds to CDC Advisement on Ditching Masks and Social Distancing IF You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated

Updated at 6:27 pm on May 13
(to be found near the bottom of this page)

Today, the CDC released updated guidelines as to how those fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus can go about their lives. What weren’t clarified are concerns over strains and variants of the Novel Coronavirus. We can only presume that the CDC is confident that such strains are not a danger to those who’ve been vaccinated. Also, it’s likely that this announcement helps pave the way for a lessening of restrictions for events within the New York City area and beyond.

A related video of the announcement can be found on this reuters page…

What follows after NY Governor Andrew Cuomo’s response to the announcement is a transcript of the statement released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Governor Cuomo this afternoon:

“In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening. We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with Dr. Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states.”

CDC Statement on mask wearing and social distancing:

“Today, the CDC is updating our guidance for fully vaccinated people. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy.

Based on the continuing downward trajectory of cases, the scientific data on the performance of our vaccines and our understanding of how the virus spreads, that moment has come for those who are wholly vaccinated.

Now, if you are immune compromised, you will most definitely want to talk to your doctor before giving up your mask. Also, locations such as health care facilities will continue to follow their specific infection control recommendations – and lastly, this past year has show us that this virus can be unpredictable. So if things get worse, there is always a chance we may need to make change to these recommendations. But we know that the more people are vaccinated, the less cases we will have and the less chance of a new spike or additional variants emerging.

If you develop symptoms, you should put your mask back on and get tested right away. The science is also very clear about unvaccinated people. You remain at risk of mild or severe illness or death or spreading the disease to others. You should still mask and you should get vaccinated right away.”

Update:

NYC Mayor de Blasio’s response to the CDC announcement:

“This is a monumental day in the fight against COVID. We are reviewing the guidance because masks will still be important for schools, public transportation, healthcare and congregate settings and more. But the message is clear: vaccinations are the way to bring our city, our lives, back. Get vaccinated. It’s safe, effective and millions of your neighbors have been vaccinated already. We have come so far—now we will reach the finish line together.”