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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its COVID-19 face mask recommendations to allow fully vaccinated individuals to remove masks in public settings and reduce social distancing. While masks are still mandated on public transportation, this change has prompted several retailers to adjust their policies accordingly.
Retail giants like Target, CVS, and Starbucks have announced that fully vaccinated patrons can now forego masks while in their establishments. Others, such as Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, and Publix, have also followed suit. However, some retailers like Home Depot and Gap have opted to maintain their mask mandates.
These adjustments have sparked varied responses on social media. Some believe that these relaxed regulations may incentivize more people to get vaccinated to avoid wearing masks in public. Nonetheless, there are concerns about enforcing these policies, as businesses have no foolproof way to verify individuals’ vaccination status, potentially leading to unvaccinated individuals falsely claiming to be inoculated.
Target No Longer Requiring Face Masks In Stores, ‘Except Where It’s Required By Local Ordinances’ https://t.co/6Cvu8YFJjX
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) May 17, 2021
“We are asking people to be honest with themselves,” stated CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “If they are vaccinated and not wearing a mask, they are safe. If they are unvaccinated and not wearing a mask, they are at risk.”
Current data shows that approximately 47% of the US population has received at least one vaccine dose, with around 37% being fully vaccinated.
