CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The country’s top medical official said the CDC is expected to update mask-wearing recommendations very soon. Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a town hall meeting that the chance for spread outside, especially when vaccinated, is minimal.
Nearly six months ago, masks became a requirement even outside. But now, according to the federal government, that could change slightly.
Look around now and it’s almost hard to find someone not wearing a mask in Massachusetts. But there is a hint the federal government may update the mask recommendations, especially outside, as more people get vaccinated.
President Biden is expected to announce what the CDC is changing regarding the federal outdoor mask recommendations.
“I’m okay with wearing a mask outside, even though I am fully vaccinated,” said one local woman. “I’m comfortable wearing my mask. It’s just, I think that is the way to go right now. I’m not in a hurry to take it off.”
In a virtual town hall forum at Harvard University, Dr. Fauci made it clear the CDC will be revisiting the mask mandate as early as this week.
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“The risk of infection outside is really minimal. If you are vaccinated and you are outside it is even less, so what we are going to be doing through the CDC is soon, very soon, clarifying the situation visa vis masks in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated people,” Dr Fauci said.
Dr. Fauci also believes the country is on its way to getting back to normal.
“I believe we will approach a very strong degree of normality by the time we get to the end of the year,” Dr Fauci said.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker put a mask mandate into place last November. Some residents told Boston 25 News that it has led to tension outside over the past six months.
“We do plan, as I said last week, that we are going to make some additional announcements here in Mass. this week,” Baker said.
The governor added that they speak weekly on Tuesdays with the White House Task Force, so he may have more to say on any mask mandate changes later this week.
New Hampshire lifted its outdoor mask mandate, and Rhode Island and Connecticut have signaled plans to do so next month.
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