American coronavirus: ‘We are walking into the mouth of the monster’ by relaxing restrictions, says expert

“Right now, that (British variant) is about to take off from the United States,” Osterholm told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “A number of states have seen it go from 1 or 2% of the viruses identified to now more than 20 to 30%.”

This week, Texas and Mississippi joined the list of states to mandate citizens to wear masks and expand capacity for businesses.

With most American adults eligible for vaccines by the summer, support for measures to protect against the virus is waning, according to a new study.

While less than a third of people said there should be fewer measures, support for additional restrictions has been declining since November, according to new research from the Pew Research Center.

But health experts say the road to herd immunity is still a long way off, and masks and other restrictions are still crucial to managing the pandemic.

A new CDC study shows “that masks work,” said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky at a White House Covid-19 briefing on Friday.

“You have a decrease in the number of cases and deaths when you wear masks and you have an increase in the number of cases and deaths when you dine in a personal restaurant, which is why we advocate policy – especially as we are on this plateau of a high number of cases – that would listen to that public health science, ”Walensky said.

States vary on how to relax restrictions

As the US gets closer to widespread vaccinations, many states are changing their policies around Covid-19 restrictions.

In Maine, Governor Janet Mills said on Friday that the state will continue to demand masks, but announced a new framework to slowly reopen the state. On March 26, the capacity for indoor gatherings in the state will increase to 50% and outdoor gatherings will increase to 75%.

And in West Virginia, some businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms and museums, may open their doors with 100 percent seating capacity starting Saturday, but social distance will still be required, government Jim Justice said Friday.

In Texas, every business is allowed to open 100% from March 10, and the order for residents to wear masks has been lifted.

Not all state leaders are comfortable with the changes.

“I’m very concerned about states lifting the mask mandate because what you’re doing is sending a signal that it’s no longer important, and that’s not true. In fact, it’s just as important as ever,” said North Carolina Gov . Roy Cooper said.

“I would encourage my fellow governors and local officials who make decisions in some states to maintain the mask mandate, show good examples and continue to do responsible things.”

Detroit mayor declines to be assigned the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Many experts have celebrated the approval of the third coronavirus vaccine, Johnson & Johnson’s, which is a single shot and stored at temperatures that are easier for transport and storage.

But there has been some backlash.

Duggan declined the shipment because the city is able to meet current demand with the supply of the Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna vaccines – even as his administration on Thursday extended approval to the vaccine to residents 50 and older with chronic medical conditions.

All three vaccines are very effective in preventing serious illness from Covid-19, and health officials have urged people to take every Covid-19 vaccine they are offered.

“The day may come in March or April when all Moderna and Pfizer are committed, and we still have people who need a vaccine. And that’s when we will set up a Johnson & Johnson center. I don’t see that in the next few years. weeks, ”said Duggan.

CDC guidelines for vaccinees

CDC guidance for people who have been vaccinated is coming soon, Walensky said. The guidance was expected to be released this week.

“Our goal, and most importantly, is that people who have been vaccinated and those who have not yet been vaccinated can understand the steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones,” she said.

More than 82 million vaccine doses have been issued in the US, and after a year turned upside down, many want to know what the future holds.

“I think people need practical advice about their daily lives,” said Julia Marcus, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Harvard. “I think people can make uninformed decisions without guidance.”

While the guidelines will not allow the vaccinated to live as if it were again 2019, according to a Biden official, the guidelines do offer some hope that the end of total social isolation is near.