Yes, CDC has announced that fully vax'd people can safely unmask in most indoor settings.

But requiring only unvax’d people to wear masks in stores etc would be unworkable. And it would expose workers, kids & others to risk.

NY should not yet lift the indoor mask mandate. 1/
The revised CDC guidelines are great news for those who are vaccinated, and should serve as added incentive for anyone debating whether to get the shot.

But CDC also said it is leaving it up to local governments how to change mask mandates.
2/
NYC has made enormous progress in vaccination. But still 54% of our population has not gotten even their 1st shot.

Likewise cases have dropped significantly in recent weeks, but still we are averaging over 1,000 new cases/day in NYC. 3/
Very few public venues in NYC are checking vaccine/test status. That means a rule change that allows only unvax'd people to remove their masks would have to function on the honor system. How would store staff enforce this?
4/
A crowded store, supermarket, movie theater, gym, museum etc in which many people (both vax'd and unvax'd) are unmasked would pose a risk of covid spread. This is especially unfair for workers, for the immunocompromised, for kids.
5/
There is enormous mask solidarity in NYC right now. The vast majority of NYers are wearing masks in indoor settings. Changing the rules so that some people need to wear masks and others don't would be the end of this solidarity. 6/
The time will come--maybe soon--when NYC's progress on vaccination and reducing spread mean we can make big changes to indoor mask rules.

But for now I will keep wearing my mask at the supermarket, and I hope you will too. 7/7
Update: New Jersey doing the right thing here. Let's hope NY does as well.

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More from @MarkLevineNYC

14 May
30 major vax sites in NYC are offering Pfizer for aged 12+.

Many appts for as soon as today, see nyc.gov/vaccinefinder. Most of the sites also accept walk-ins (see below).

No cost. No insurance required. No questions on immigration status. Open to all U.S. residents. #LetsGoo
Many pharmacies in NYC are offering vax for aged 12+. To find one near you visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder and search on "Pfizer".
A parent or legal guardian must provide consent at the time of the vaccination to anyone younger than 18-- either in person, by phone or in writing.
Read 4 tweets
16 Apr
The # of open vax appts in NYC right now is stunningly high.

* Javits: 3k
* Medgar Evers: 20k
* York: 19k
* Bay Eden: 1k+
* City-run hubs: 1000s
* Walgreens citywide: 1000s

If you know anyone who's been discouraged from booking, tell them NOW IS THE TIME (links to book below)
Vax appts are available all over NYC for as soon as tomorrow. To book...

State sites (Javits, Medgar, etc): …eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov or 833-NYS-4-VAX

City sites: vax4nyc.nyc.gov or 877-VAX-4NYC

Walgreens: walgreens.com/topic/promotio… or 800-WALGREEN
Read 4 tweets
14 Apr
For the first time in 4 months, vax appts in NYC are not being immediately filled.

Some people gave up trying to book because it's been so hard. But it's easier now—the main sites have improved & the competition for slots is less intense.

We need to spread the word on this. 1/
Spots at marquis sites like Javits still go super fast. But there are 100s of appts (even for this week!) open at smaller sites around the 5 boroughs. Check here: vaccinefinder.nyc.gov
2/
There are also appts open at the kinds of places that aren't searched by the bots. e.g.:

* Independent pharmacies (try calling)
* Private doctors & clinics (start by calling yours)
* @nyphospital's Wash Hghts Armory (book here: vaccinetogetherny.org/Pages/default.…)
3/
Read 7 tweets
4 Apr
If you’re one of the growing # of NYers who have been fully vaccinated, congrats!

You may have questions about what you can and can’t do, what the variants mean, when and if you’ll need a booster, whether you should get a vaccine passport, and more.

Here are some answers. 1/
I’ve heard mixed messaging--can I still catch the virus after my vaccine?
* The vaccines are amazingly effective! They prevent nearly 100% of deaths and hospitalizations from covid. And the chance of mild or asymptomatic cases is dramatically reduced. 2/
I’ve also heard mixed messaging on whether I can still spread the virus--what’s the deal?
* Research is still underway on this. It appears you are far less likely to transmit the virus once you’re fully vaccinated, but that risk is not zero. So precautions are still required. 3/
Read 18 tweets
31 Mar
The US's next wave is taking off, driven by fast spread of more contagious variants in a handful of states.

But no extra vaccine allocation is being sent to these areas.

It's a nat'l imperative to slow these variants. Fed gov't needs to surge extra supply to the hot spots. 1/
The main variants taking over in the Northeast and Midwest are B.1.1.7 (UK) and B.1.526 (NYC). Current evidence is that--thankfully--vaccines now in use offer protection against these variants.

That's why we need aggressive vaccination to stop this. 2/
The current pace of vaccination in the hot spot cities and states is not enough. Cases and even hospitalizations are rising.

We need a significant, immediate boost in the supply of vaccines in these locations to win this race.

3/
Read 6 tweets
30 Mar
If you're part of the huge group that's about to become eligible for vaccination in NYC (age 30+ tomorrow, 16+ Apr 6th)...

Here's a short run-down on where to get a vaccine appointment. 1/
If you have a relationship with a regular doctor or clinic, that is a good place to start. Many have the ability to schedule for patients, or even offer vaccination themselves. 2/
City-run vax sites have already added an option to schedule for aged 30+ (will add 16+ next week). Check for appts here: vax4nyc.nyc.gov

State-run sites will be open to younger NYers as well, check here: covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov

3/
Read 9 tweets

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