As more cities, businesses, and sports venues begin lifting restrictions on pandemics around the country, the U.S. is closer to that point.
Dr. Rochelle Waensky, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, stated during a briefing at the White House that the government was considering changing its mask guidance in coming weeks. She noted recent declines in COVID-19-related hospital admissions, deaths and COVID-19 cases. She also acknowledged that “people are so keen” for health officials and other measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Walensky stated that “we all share the same goal” – to reach a point COVID-19 doesn’t disrupt our daily lives and isn’t a constant threat to our lives. He added that COVID-19 can be prevented, protected against, and treated.
The omicron variant is waning, and Americans are eager to move past the virus. Government and business leaders were ahead of the CDC in ending all virus measures in the last week. This included ordering workers back into offices, eliminating mask mandates, and allowing them to enter bars, restaurants, and sports and entertainment venues without requiring proof that they have been vaccinated.
These efforts are gaining momentum each day.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia officials announced that the city’s vaccination mandate for restaurants was lifted immediately. However, indoor mask mandates are still in effect. Starting Thursday, Disney World will allow vaccinated guests to no longer wear masks in the Florida theme park. Fans are no longer required to show proof of vaccination for professional sports teams like the Washington Wizards and Capitals or Utah Jazz.
Washington’s most populous county — Seattle — announced Wednesday that it will no longer require COVID vaccinations to enter bars, restaurants, theaters, and gyms starting March 1.
Cheryl Bettigole, Philadelphia’s Health Commissioner, said that Philadelphia’s average daily infection rate has dropped to 189 per day. This is despite the city having more than 1.5 million residents. Bettigole stated that the decline in infection rates in Philadelphia has been more severe than anywhere else in the state. This makes it easier for the government to lift the mandate for vaccinations in restaurants and other businesses, which was announced in December and only fully implemented this month.
She stated that “Our goal has been to be as restrictive as possible while still ensuring safety.”
Officials lifted the mask mandate and vaccine requirement in Provincetown, Massachusetts on Tuesday. The seaside town was declared a COVID hotspot after an outbreak of the delta variant last year. Alex Morse, Town Manager, said that the community of approximately 3,000 had zero active cases last week. This is something that has not happened since the July 4th celebrations.
Morse stated, “We are learning how to live with, mitigate, and adapt to the virus’ impact on our community.”
According to Johns Hopkins University data, hospitalizations and COVID-19 infection rates have dropped sharply in the U.S. Hospitalizations are similar to September when the U.S. emerged from the delta variant surge. Nearly 65% of Americans have been fully vaccinated.
“As a result all these progresses and the tools that we now have, it is moving to a point where COVID doesn’t pose a crisis, but something we can treat and protect,” stated Jeff Zients (White House coronavirus response coordinator).
Walensky stated that the CDC will soon provide guidance that is pertinent and encourages preventive measures when they are most necessary to protect public and hospital health. She also suggested that any changes will consider measures of community transmission as well as hospitalization rates and other indicators of how severely infected individuals are becoming. They would also consider the availability of beds in hospitals.
Many states that have indoor mask mandates said last week they would lift them in the coming weeks, citing promising numbers.
Coachella and Stagecoach are two music festivals that attract thousands to Indio, California, in April and May. They also announced this week that there would be no mandated vaccinations, masking, or testing in line with local guidelines. Coachella noted that this could change with COVID conditions.
Bettigole in Philadelphia said that the mandate for vaccines has spurred a “very large” increase of pediatric vaccinations. This means that the city is now well ahead of the national average when it comes to first doses for children aged 5-11 years old. She said that more than 53% of Philadelphians in this age group have had their first dose. This compares to close to 30% nationally.
Some businesses may not change their plans immediately. O’Neals, a Philadelphia Irish sports bar and restaurant, will continue to ask for customers’ vaccination cards, according to Greg “Spoonie”, Rand, managing partner. Even though Philadelphia has lifted its vaccine mandate, Rand said.
He said, “Guests are more willing to comply and employees are happier for us to continue with vaccine cards inside.” He believes that vaccinated persons will be more wary about coming in if they stop checking their cards.
Walensky stated that the CDC wants people to be able to wear masks again if they need to, but not to stop them from wearing masks when things are better. Even if preventative measures are less effective, there will still be situations where masks should be worn. This could be when someone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or within 10 days of being diagnosed.