Los Angeles Angeles District recently sought-after residents again to wear masks in public due to the increased risk posed by the Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Days later, the CDC director said that vaccinated people are still “safe” and do not have to mask themselves in most public institutions. Who’s Right and Why the Conflicting News?
Vaccines are still highly effective against Delta
Vaccines may be a little less effective against Delta when compared to older forms of the virus, but they still work. Initial data show that the Pfizer vaccine is 88% effective against Delta (compared to 93% for Alpha, an earlier variant) if you are fully vaccinated. Moderna announced that laboratory tests suggest his vaccine can neutralize all variants, including Delta, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine appears to be 60% effective.
The vaccines against serious illnesses are also likely to be effective, so if you get a breakthrough chances are it will be milder than if you hadn’t been vaccinated; Pfizer was 96% effective Prevent hospitalization.
So if you’ve been vaccinated, you’re still largely protected, but it’s reasonable to be a little extra careful.
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Delta is more contagious than other forms of the virus
Delta is a “questionable variant” for good reason: It’s more transmissible than other forms of the virus, it can cause more serious illness, and it’s less likely to be stopped by vaccines. Portability is currently the most worrying aspect.
In the UK, Delta accounts for almost all new infections; in the US it is still only 20 percent. Delta might be the dominant strain here too because it is more transmissible. The fact that we recently dropped the mask requirement could help it spread, and low vaccination rates in some communities mean these places could be particularly vulnerable. Virologist Angela Rasmussen said Scientific American that hot weather in places like Arizona and Texas could cause more people to share air if they congregate in air-conditioned indoor spaces, which could lead to increased transmission in those areas.
Masking yourself more often could be a good idea
With what we know about Delta, the likelihood that people who are vaccinated will not contract or transmit the virus are still not very likely – but the likelihood is greater than vanilla COVID.
Some environments, such as hospitals and airports, require masks for everyone. (I recently traveled by plane for the first time in ages; I appreciated the mask rule as the planes were crammed.) If you are vaccinated, you may want to wear a mask in crowded indoor areas or in places that are otherwise a high risk deal for you. I don’t wear a mask on most of my trips, but I always have one in my pocket.
Here is a helpful metaphor of a New York Times article to the contradicting reports:
“Thinking about wearing a mask at this point is a bit like adapting to the weather,” said Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech and one of the professors world leading experts on virus transmission. “You have to consider the number of cases and vaccination rates, wherever you go, what activities you do and your own health.”
In parts of the world where Delta is the dominant variety, cases are high, and many people are unvaccinated, masks can help manage the situation. In other places, including parts of the United States, cases are low and vaccination rates are high, which means it is relatively safe to go without a mask when vaccinated.
If you are not vaccinated, it is more important than ever to keep masking yourself to protect yourself. Children may no longer have to wear masks in settings like schools, but if cases spread around you, wearing them anyway might be a good idea. Masks can also help people with weakened immune systems, some of them may be more susceptible to the virus even if they have been vaccinated.
