Confused over mask guidelines? Anthony Fauci has one message for you.
It's not like he's without empathy, though. Regarding those who are confused, he wanted to be clear:
"It's not their fault."
Not everyone can be expected to be endowed with the natural genius of an Anthony Fauci.
After all, he has served as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for the past 37 years, and as anyone will tell you, the really smart people in a bureaucracy are those who rise to a certain level and then stay there for decades on end never leaving.
"I think people are misinterpreting, thinking that this is a removal of a mask mandate for everyone. It's not. It's an assurance to those who are vaccinated that they can feel safe, be they outdoors or indoors."
See, very straightforward and simple. If you're vaccinated, you don't have to wear a mask "be they outdoors or indoors."
Except on planes.
He also said we should expect to keep wearing masks on airplanes for some time — but hopefully months, not years.
So to review, if you're vaccinated, you only have to wear a mask when you're on a plane.
And also buses, trains, and really any form of public transportation.
If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States...
That's it, plus transportation hubs.
...and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
Other than that, it's completely back to normal for vaccinated people, just like before the pandemic.
Except for certain testing requirements.
Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested 3 days before travel by air into the United States (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.
People are just needlessly complicating this.
Which reminds me, did I mention that if you're taking any medications or have other health issues, you might have to keep that mask on?
People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities. They may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19.
And THAT, is finally all you have to remember about these new... okay one more.
However, if you live or work in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still get tested, even if you don't have symptoms.
I think we're done here...
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
To sum up, aside from a couple dozen exceptions, you don't have to wear a mask if you're vaccinated.
Until they change the guidelines yet again.
You can read all about these latest very simple guidelines and their numerous exceptions here, but please, read it slowly this time and listen to the whole thing, not just half.
