They will announce new guidelines for vaccinated against covid-19 0:45
(CNN) ––
US states are making progress in expanding access to the covid-19 vaccine and suspending restrictions on both business and large gatherings, as the country seeks to return to normalcy.
However, experts warn that there are two barriers on the way to achieving herd immunity and returning to normalcy.
The first is the covid-19 variants.
And the second, the doubts of some about vaccines.
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“We are seeing that restrictions have been lifted in many parts of the country.
We are seeing that travel is at an all-time high.
People are already returning to normal before the pandemic, "said Dr. Leana Wen, emergency physician, in conversation with Anderson Cooper of CNN, this Thursday.
“We have a fairly narrow window of opportunity to make clear what the benefits of vaccines are.
We know that these vaccines are really effective in preventing serious disease.
They also reduce risk significantly in each of these different types of settings, whether it's going to the restaurant or gym, or seeing family and friends, ”he added.
More than 22% of the US population - 75 million people - have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
And among Americans 65 and older, more than 66% of the population has been vaccinated with at least one dose.
Despite the progress, there are disappointing numbers.
As of this Thursday, at least 10 states reported increases of 10% or more in the average daily cases of coronavirus from last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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The rebound occurs as more states report the spread of covid-19 variants.
Which are more infectious and can nullify the previous immunity of those who had the virus.
Variant B.1.1.7, which was first discovered in the UK, is projected to be the dominant type of covid-19 in late March or early April, according to the CDC.
Previous research suggests that vaccination may also provide protection against the newer variants.
On the other hand, the variants are also affecting the impact of certain monoclonal antibody treatments, according to what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday.
Due to the complications caused by the variants, experts point out that mass vaccination is necessary.
However, Wen stressed that the situation is more nuanced than simply believing that American society is strictly divided between advocates and opponents of vaccination.
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“We are neglecting the large number of people who are in the middle and who need, who want to get vaccinated, but they may have some concerns.
Or just not have time to be absent from work or seek child care, "he said.
“We need to facilitate vaccination for these people.
And also clearly demonstrate what the benefit of the vaccine is, through the clear message that vaccines are the way to return to life before the pandemic.
States juggle to expand access to vaccines and end some restrictions
Faced with an increase in supply, more states have expanded eligibility for vaccines.
In New Hampshire, residents age 50 and older will be eligible starting Monday.
In fact, the state plans to expand access to all of its citizens aged 16 and over "in just a few weeks."
This was indicated by Governor Chris Sununu.
Also, he was asked to comment on the increase in the average daily new COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire.
To which Sununu said that "it is really about reducing hospitalizations and the mortality rate, which is continuously decreasing."
According to the governor, many people are also relaxing with the use of masks and social distancing.
"We haven't gotten out of this yet," he warned.
For its part, Louisiana will expand the eligibility to be vaccinated to a long list of essential workers starting Monday.
Among them, people who work in higher education, food service and grocery stores, manufacturing, transportation, clergy, and others.
On Tuesday, Maryland will increase access to everyone 60 and older.
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Kentucky will open access to vaccination for those over 50 starting Monday.
And their goal is for all adults to be eligible on April 12.
The state also joined others in beginning to ease restrictions on social gatherings, easing curfews at bars and restaurants starting Friday.
Although it limited them to 60% of their capacity.
Massachusetts will allow 12% attendance at stadiums, arenas and sports venues next week.
Capacity limits for public settings are increased to 100 people indoors and 150 outdoors.
Meanwhile, meetings at home indoors remain at 10 people allowed.
Border restrictions continue as domestic travel increases
Simultaneously, the United States extended travel restrictions at the land borders with Canada and Mexico until April 21, the Department of Homeland Security announced.
The measure will mark more than a year since the restrictions were first implemented.
Within the country, air travel is on the rise.
More than a million passengers traveled by air every day from March 11 to 17.
This represents the longest consecutive period with more than a million passengers a day this year, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
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Dr. Wen mentioned to CNN on Thursday the apparent increase in travel and people adopting pre-pandemic-like lifestyles without proper security measures.
In that sense, he emphasized that in the face of these challenges, the CDC must reinforce a key message for the general public: that vaccination leads to a faster return to safer activities.
“What the CDC really needs to do right now is tell unvaccinated people what the low, medium and high risk activities are.
Many things will probably be high risk for unvaccinated people, "Wen added.
“So they need (the CDC) to say that vaccinated people can do a lot more.
Nothing is going to be zero risk.
But many of these activities that were formally high risk are now low risk, "he explained.
"I think that kind of benefit of vaccination really should be illustrated to people," he completed.
CDC relaxes distancing guidelines for schools
The CDC changed its guidance on physical distancing for kids at school on Friday.
The agency recommended that students with masks stay at least 1 meter away from others.
What is below the 2 meters recommended above.
Schools must maintain other precautions for this to work, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a briefing at the White House.
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These include the universal and correct use of masks, physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
Also cleaning to keep the facilities healthy and diagnostic tests with fast and efficient contact tracing in combination with isolation in quarantine and in collaboration with the local health departments ”, detailed Walensky.
The change in the guide may allow more schools to open or more students to be present at an institution, experts said.
Maggie Fox, Arman Azad, Naomi Thomas, Kelsie Smith, Gisela Crespo, Rebekah Riess, Chris Boyette, Juliana Battaglia, Kristina Sgueglia, Steve Almasy, Geneva Sands and Lauren Mascarenhas, all from CNN, contributed to this report.
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