It was last week that the federal CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) adjusted their recommendations on mask wearing for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in non-health care settings.
The CDC’s update also stated that employees and residents at congregate settings; such as correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and group homes; should continue to mask. In addition, schools were told to continue following CDC school guidelines until more people and children are vaccinated.
The changes recommended by the CDC on mask wearing were designed to apply primarily to when patronizing businesses or organizations, or when out and about in public places.
However, Sue Olenek, Executive Director of the Will County Health Department and Community Health Center, is asking that all fully vaccinated residents continue to follow the status-quo on COVID-19 precautions.
“It is recommended by the WCHD that businesses and organizations continue to require masking and social distancing, and that residents continue to follow these requirements. While removing our masks when we’re outdoors in non-crowded situations or indoors with immediate family is okay, continuing to wear our masks properly and observe proper social distancing in all other situations is our best strategy at this time.
“We are expecting follow-up guidance from the IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) in response to the CDC’s adjustments sometime this week,” Olenek continued.
“At that time, we will have a follow-up statement about our recommendations.”
For more on information on COVID-19, go to https://willcountyhealth.org/covid-19/.