At the Science Museum, we're always encouraging Virginians to question their world. We know there are still questions about vaccinated people wearing masks so we're here with some answers. Let's dig in to some of the queries our inquisitive supporters have posed recently with our Life Scientist Dr. Catherine Franssen.
Why do I have to wear a mask if I’m vaccinated?
The vaccine keeps you safe from serious COVID-19 infection, but it’s possible you could get a mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection that you could spread to someone who is unvaccinated. Using layers of protection on top of the vaccine, like masks and social distancing, helps protect those not eligible for vaccination (like children who are too young).
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So why bother with the vaccine if I still have to wear a mask?
The vaccine helps prevent hospitalization or death. The data is showing that even though there are small numbers of breakthrough cases -- that is, a vaccinated person gets COVID-19 -- very few of them get a serious infection. The vaccine prevented 140,000 COVID deaths in the first few months of its existence, and continues to save thousands of lives each week. Doctors all over the country have started tracking cases by vaccination status so everyone can see the data and draw their own conclusions. The Virginia Department of Health has helpful graphs to show how the vaccine is preventing more serious cases of COVID-19.
Do I really need to mask if I’m vaccinated?
People carrying the Delta variant have 1,000 times more virus in their nasopharynx (basically the back of their throat) than they did with the Alpha variant (the first one), so it can spread much more easily and is more contagious. Infected people are shedding more virus, so you want to wear a mask in case you’re asymptomatically carrying COVID-19 infection and to protect yourself from others who might be infected. Double protection is important, and will help decrease the chances of you getting sick.
Where do I need to wear a mask?
With cases rising so dramatically right now due to the Delta variant, it’s best to wear a mask pretty much anytime you’re indoors in a public space. Even in a room with people you know are vaccinated and who you are keeping a distance from, the data is showing that if you’re in that room for more than 15 minutes, you probably need to wear a mask. You don’t know when a vaccinated person might have been inadvertently exposed to COVID-19 and be carrying it without showing any symptoms.
Air currents outdoors are much more likely to scatter virus particles and make it less likely to transmit. If you can space out from small groups of vaccinated people outside, you might feel more confident removing your mask in those settings.
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But who is the mask protecting: me or others?
Both! Wearing a mask protects others in case you’re carrying COVID-19 infection and don’t realize it. It also adds another layer of protection to protect you from getting a breakthrough COVID-19 infection--or a common cold or other illness, for that matter, which could still make you feel bad for a few days and disrupt your routine. Studies have demonstrated that face masks are able to reduce the viral load exhaled and inhaled on both sides of the mask, so you are safest when you and those around you are masked (in addition to being vaccinated and keeping socially distanced).
Are we going backward?
Over the summer many areas relaxed the mask and social distancing rules as case loads were low. The Delta variant and low vaccination rates have changed that. Some people aren’t great about wearing their masks properly, are eating indoors unmasked and are gathering in crowds so they are being exposed to the virus. At this point, it’s hard to know who might be unvaccinated or could have been exposed, so we all have to put the guards up again. It may feel like we’re going backward in some ways, but it’s really more like the next chapter. What we’re all entering now won’t be the same as any previous phase of the pandemic. The rules are changing and they’ll keep changing on us. The good news is we humans are really adaptable, and we can overcome great feats when we work together.
If you want to dig in even more, here are some informative sources to check out:
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/why-the-cdc-recommends-wearing-masks-indoors-even-if-youve-been-fully-vaccinated-against-covid-1
- https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/vaccines-work-well-against-delta-variant-here-s-why-you-should-wear-mask-anyway
- https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-coronavirus-vaccines-hospital-cases-rates-unvaccinated
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/covid-19-by-the-numbers-vaccinated-continue-to-be-protected#Vaccinations-and-breakthrough-infections
