The real trouble with the CDC’s messaging is they’re trying to appeal to people’s goodness again. Not sure why. That didn’t work at the start of the pandemic when they asked people to mask up in the first place. Never thought that would become such a big issue, or a political one, but wow.
Of course we can thank Trump for politicizing the whole pandemic by not only poo-pooing mask-wearing but promoting mask shaming. Something his constituents were more than happy to jump on board with.
You’d think the U.S. government and the CDC would’ve learned a thing or two over the last 16-17 months of dealing with all that, but alas…no. {Insert sigh here.}
And now with their newest mask recommendation, even for vaccinated folks, they risk alienating those of us who have been trying to do the right thing all along.
They caved under pressure from those who had gotten vaxed in the first place to throw them a bone and offer some reward for being responsible citizens by saying “fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks.” They also hoped that would help encourage more people to get vaccinated. It didn’t.
I’m not sure why they’re having trouble understanding they’re not going to change the minds of those who believe all the COVID-19 lies…until, of course, those folks get the disease and end up in the hospital. Then it becomes real.
But what’s so frustrating is this latest flip-flop with the mask guidance.
Why should I, a vaccinated person, concern myself with not spreading a virus to those who could get vaccinated but refuse to? That’s not my responsibility.
There are children to consider. There’s some evidence the delta variant poses enhanced risk now for children too.
And there are also concerns there will be another mutation. Especially the more delta spreads.
But the CDC isn’t putting it that way. Nor are they saying that perhaps a mutation could develop after infecting vaccinated folks. One that learns how to dodge the vaccine and then renders it useless.
Ideally, it’d be much better for everyone to suck it up and get the shot. But since that’s not going to happen, it seems the next best thing is to rely on those who are responsible to protect those who aren’t.
I was fine doing that in the beginning. But not now. Let them get sick. There’s no way they’re going to learn or understand until they have to deal with the consequences. Until then, the resistance to wear masks and get vaxed will continue.
Which is exhausting.
I’ve been saying since June we’re screwed with this delta variant taking over. It takes about a month and a half for the vaccines to become effective when you get them anyway. Without having the majority of the population on board by then (June), fall would have the potential to be rough.
Now that July has seen the start of a fourth surge, and with school starting back up and cooler weather just around the corner…
Well, I don’t know what will happen. I probably will wear a mask inside again just because I think it helps me not catch other things. I’ll look out for me. But I absolutely refuse to wear one to protect others who are cavalier when it comes to their own health and don’t take COVID-19 seriously.