Key Points:
- On Thursday, President Joe Biden addressed the media and the audience with No Mask and a Broad Smile announcing that the Fully Vaccinated Americans are free to shed their masks (indoors).
- “If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask,” Biden said. He encouraged Americans saying, “Get vaccinated — or wear a mask until you do.”
- After the decision was announced, the next day, almost no staff members around the West Wing were seen wearing masks.
- Despite of this, the new Guideline does mention that Wearing a Mask is necessary in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.
On Thursday morning, American President Joe Biden came up to the audience via a media address with No Mask and a broad smile and announced that the Fully Vaccinated Americans are free to shed their masks.
The new Mask Guidelines were rolled out but the federal government gave in a mixed reaction to the policy as the change was abrupt as the President, a month back was pleading them to keep the masks on.
As reported by AP, 2 White House officials said only a few senior staff members were made aware of the new mask guidelines the day before they were announced.
This is one of the major decisions in a country like America which was world’s first worst hit country by the Covid-19 virus.
President Joe Biden told Americans on Thursday that the lifting of the rule on “Indoor Mask” wearing was “a great day” in the fight against Covid-19 and that they could now “smile again.”
President Biden, in a TV address to the nation at the White House said, “I think it’s a great milestone, a great day.”
Having said that, President Biden noted that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) grant to stop advising masks for all indoor activities applied ONLY to people who have received BOTH SHOTS of VACCINES.
“If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask,” Biden said, signaling the new guidance. This was also a part of encouraging more Americans to go and get the vaccine shots as soon as possible to be able to be a part of the ‘Mask Drop’ individuals. “Get vaccinated — or wear a mask until you do.”
After the decision was announced, the next day, almost no staff members around the West Wing were seen wearing masks. Media briefing that took place on Friday morning had reporters and speakers without their masks on.
The official statement, as reported by NBC said, “The Federal Workforce EO requires compliance with CDC guidelines on masking and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and that includes the new guidance issued today. Agencies should follow current CDC guidance.”
Despite of this, the new Guideline does mention that Wearing a Mask is mandatory in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters but Social Distancing norm would thus be left loose to the people who are fully vaccinated.
