Thread by @DrLeanaWen

For months, I've been criticizing the CDC for being too cautious with what vaccinated people can do.

Now, the CDC has done an about-face that's shockingly abrupt: it's confusing & could actually disincentivize vaccines.

We need an intermediate step: 🧵washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/…

Don't get me wrong--the vaccinated are very well protected. They are safe to take off masks if they wish.

The problem is: do we trust the honor system for people to now go maskless? What about the danger to people who can't be vaccinated (i.e. kids) or the immunocompromised? /2

The CDC recommendation removes a powerful incentive. Many who were on the fence might have been motivated to get the shot because they could go back to activities they were missing, without a mask.

Now, if no one is checking, and they can do everything anyway, why bother? /3

The CDC should have had 2 intermediate steps.

1) Fully vaccinated people should have no restrictions on public activities if vaccination status can be verified. That means stores & workplaces can be at full capacity, without masks, if they check vaccination status. /4

2) They could set a level of community vaccination, at which point they can do away with verification—for example, if 70% of a community is vaccinated, everyone can take off their masks, vaccinated or not.

We're not yet. This new guidance is premature & should be clarified. /5

We’ve come a long way in #covid19, but not as far as the CDC has suddenly taken us.

The vaccinated may be well-protected, but let’s not forget our obligation to those who do not yet have immunity — & our commitment to end this pandemic once and for all. /END @PostOpinions