Is my child at risk when vaccinated against covid-19?
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(CNN) -
The delta variant, a more transmissible - and potentially more dangerous - strain of the new coronavirus, now accounts for more than half of all new infections in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). for its acronym in English).
This variant, combined with low vaccination rates in many parts of the country, is causing further spikes in COVID-19 cases, prompting health authorities in Los Angeles County and the St. Louis area to encourage even people who are fully vaccinated to wear masks indoors.
A variant of the coronavirus and multiple approaches to the use of masks
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued similar guidelines;
however, the CDC continues to say that vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask most of the time.
To clear up the confusion around mask use, CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen was asked for her opinion.
Wen is an emergency specialist and visiting professor of health policy and management at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
She is also the author of a new book to be published later this month called
Lifelines: A Physician's Journey in the Fight for Public Health
.
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Masks indoors and people at higher risk
CNN: Are there circumstances in which vaccinated people must go back to wearing masks indoors?
Dr. Leana Wen:
Yes. Masks are still necessary in some settings, such as airports, airplanes and trains, and in hospitals.
If a company requires them, you should continue to use one, so it is good practice to carry a mask with you if you need it.
The harder question is: what about environments where you don't need to wear a mask?
These are the factors that I would take into account.
First of all, your health and the vaccination status of your family members.
If you are immunosuppressed, you should wear a mask in all closed places where you may be exposed to unvaccinated people.
If you live with someone who is immunosuppressed or with unvaccinated young children, you may need to take extra precautions.
The probability of contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it to your family is much lower once vaccinated, but it is not zero.
Consider wearing a mask in high-risk settings, such as crowded grocery stores or indoor church services.
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Second, the level of coronavirus infection and the vaccination rate in your community.
These two are generally correlated: areas with higher vaccination rates also tend to have lower levels of infection.
If you live in an area where more than 80% of adults are vaccinated, and the rates of Covid-19 are very low, your chances of encountering an unvaccinated infected person are greatly reduced.
You are probably safer if you go without a mask there, compared to, for example, if you live in an area with less than 30% vaccinated adults and where the delta variant is increasing.
Vaccines work very well, but none are 100% effective
CNN: Some people reading this will wonder, "Why do we go back to talking about masks, when vaccines are supposed to work so well?"
Wen:
The covid-19 vaccines that we have in the United States work very well.
But no vaccine works 100%.
Think of the vaccine as a very effective raincoat.
If it's drizzling, you'll be protected.
If the rain is coming down hard, you may be fine.
But if you're in and out of rain storms all the time, you could end up getting wet.
The risk is cumulative.
If you have multiple daily encounters with unvaccinated people, and there is a high level of community transmission in your area, your chances of having a contagion after vaccination will increase.
You can reduce that risk by wearing a mask in the highest-risk settings.
99% of people who have recently died from covid-19 in the United States were not vaccinated
Masks at work with all your vaccinated colleagues
CNN: What if you go to work and everyone in your office is vaccinated? Is it still necessary to wear a mask if there is no distancing?
Wen:
Good question.
We know that vaccination dramatically reduces both the likelihood of becoming infected and being an asymptomatic carrier who could transmit the virus to others.
The possibility of becoming infected through a vaccinated person, if you are also vaccinated, is practically nil.
Going to an office where everyone around you is known to be vaccinated, even without a mask or distancing, is very safe.
Workplaces that do not require vaccinations
CNN: What if you have to go back to work, but vaccinations are not a requirement? Should you wear a mask?
Wen:
That depends on the other factors that we have discussed.
Consider your health, and then the likelihood that someone at work may be infected based on transmission in the community and vaccination rates in your area.
You also have to take into account the circumstances of the job.
Are the people you are in contact with vaccinated?
Let's say your workplace doesn't have a vaccination policy, but the two people who share your office or the three people with cubicles closest to you are fully vaccinated.
That would be a fairly safe environment, and you probably wouldn't need to carry a mask on your desk.
On the other hand, if you are asked to walk into cramped, poorly ventilated conference rooms with people you doubt are vaccinated, consider wearing a mask there or, better yet, see if you can attend the meeting virtually.
What mask to use?
CNN: Does the type of mask matter?
Wen:
If you are immunosuppressed and in a high-risk environment, you should wear an N95 or KN95 mask, or a double mask.
Otherwise, a well-fitting three-layer surgical mask should suffice, although if you are comfortable with the N95 or KN95, there is nothing wrong with wearing it in busy indoor environments.
This mask can detect if the person using it has covid-19
Masks, vaccinated people and living outdoors
CNN: Is there an outdoor setting where you would recommend that a vaccinated person wear a mask?
Wen:
Not at the moment.
The ventilation involved in being outdoors greatly reduces transmission, as does vaccination.
A severely immunocompromised person might wear a mask to large baseball games or concerts, but otherwise the outdoor mask should not be necessary for vaccinated people.
Do what is most comfortable, but following these recommendations
CNN: What if people assume you're not vaccinated because you wear a mask?
Wen:
Many people who are vaccinated and want to be more cautious wear a mask.
It could even be that people who wear face masks in public places are actually vaccinated, and unvaccinated people are the ones who go around without a mask.
You should focus on doing what makes you feel comfortable.
If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask in some places, you should.
Delta variant of the new coronavirus
CNN: How does the delta variant affect these recommendations?
Wen:
Now that more than half of new infections in the US are caused by this variant, you have to assume that if you come into contact with someone with COVID-19, it is the delta variant that you are encountering.
This variant is more transmissible than any of the previous ones.
There is some evidence that those infected with the delta variant also carry more viruses, making them more likely to infect others.
The vaccines we have appear to be effective against the delta variant, although less effective than against other strains.
The most important thing for unvaccinated people: keep wearing mask
CNN: To be clear, should unvaccinated people continue to wear masks?
Wen:
Right.
The indication for unvaccinated people has not changed.
If unvaccinated people are around other unvaccinated people, or people whose vaccination status is unknown, they should wear masks indoors.
Outdoors, the risk of transmission is low, so no masks are needed.
This also applies to children, so those under 12 who cannot be vaccinated should wear masks indoors when around other unvaccinated children.
With the delta variant on the rise, I would be even more vigilant than before.
If there is a situation where you are doubting whether to wear the mask, I would err on the side of caution and do it.
coronavirus mask
