Take off the mask or not? Confusion reigns in the United States

The pandemic is about to kill more people this year than in 2020, the WHO warned on Friday, yet hope for a more normal life is emerging in several countries including the United States. If Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, ultra smilesbright, have removed their masks as a symbol of the progress of vaccination, the debates remain lively. Should we follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new directive that allows fully vaccinated Americans not to wear masks indoors or outdoors?

The country is fragmented. Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington state – all led by Democrats – have already announced that they will change their rules, like Minnesota and from North Carolina who hastened to lift the measure. Conversely, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland and Massachusetts said they kept the mask until further information. This is less than half of the 24 states which, along with Washington DC and Puerto Rico, required the wearing of masks in public places. And, small nuance, in North Carolina, the mask continues to be required in daycares, schools and “summer camps” until most children have not been vaccinated.

Supermarkets join the dance

In the process, Walmart, giant of the distribution, the low-cost supermarkets Costco, or the Californian brand Trader Joe’s, have also given up the obligatory mask on their shelves, except local legislation to the contrary. And without the need to provide a vaccination certificate. At Walmart, a certificate is required, but to obtain a credit to spend in stores of 75 dollars (61 euros).

In the federal capital, a certain confusion has also reigned since Thursday evening. The Capitol doctor has informed members of Congress and staff that they can return to their pre-pandemic activities if they are fully vaccinated but House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN she is not would only lift the obligation when a better level of vaccination is achieved. To date, nearly 75% of the members of the House have been vaccinated.

“My fear is: how are you going to check that people are fully immunized or not? I believe that there are many people who will no longer use the mask even if they are not vaccinated ”, worried in New York Ivan Matta, 47, employee in a tourism company.