Thread by @HuffmanLabDU

Why should vaccinated people wear masks? Seven points outlined by @Bob_Wachter in article by @amyjeangraff & in 🧵 with his reasoning below.

I'm still very careful about taking off my #N95 mask in mixed settings & support #mask mandates for schools.
sfgate.com/bayarea/articl…

1) The rate of breakthrough infections is small but very real.
2) The rate of breakthrough infections with delta is likely somewhat higher than with the original virus; this number is still being debated.

3) Delta might be more likely to lead to a serious infection than the original virus.
4) Though the chances of long COVID with a breakthrough infection seem to be low, there is no rigorous evidence on this & we certainly have seen mild primary infections cause prolonged symptoms.

5) I’d guess that the chances of catching and transmitting COVID after vaccination are low (as they were with the original virus), but this too is somewhat uncertain.

6) Given #5, I see going maskless indoors as not only potentially putting myself at risk but also others – particularly immunosuppressed people, children, and those who have chosen not to be vaccinated.

7) While the vaccines seem to be holding up quite well, I’m now more than 6 months out from my vaccination and we don’t know duration of effect, particularly with delta.