AOC reveals she's going to keep wearing a face mask despite being fully vaccinated and says 'some of are going to take time adjusting as we feel comfortable'
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she will continue to wear a face mask despite being fully vaccinated because 'NYC got hit so hard that I think some of us are going to take time adjusting as we feel comfortable.'
Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat from New York, told her followers on Instagram that 'if you want to keep wearing your mask then do it.'
'Personally I'm going to keep wearing my mask in shared indoor public spaces like elevators, subway, grocery store, etc.,' she said.
She indicated that she may continue to wear a mask even when the pandemic is done to prevent the spread of other illnesses if she feels sick.
'Mask wearing is also something I'll probably continue doing overall from time to time if I feel like I might be coming down with something and don't want to spread it,' she said.
Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat from New York, is fully vaccinated but said she will continue to wear masks indoors. She received her second vaccine dose on the day of the Capitol riots.
She indicated that she may continue to wear a mask even when the pandemic is done to prevent the spread of other illnesses if she feels sick
Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat from New York, told her followers on Instagram that 'if you want to keep wearing your mask then do it'
In her Instagram post, she also joked that a mask 'is a nice accessory when you don't want to do your makeup.'
The congresswoman received her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the day of the deadly Capitol riots on January 6, Newsweek reported.
Ocasio-Cortez, 31, was one of the first in line to receive her shot after congressmen and women were prioritized to ensure continuity of government, WNBC reported.
Randomized clinical trials of vaccines the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines showed they were 94%–95% effective in preventing COVID-19, according to the CDC website.
The AARP reported that there were 2,479 people in the Pfizer's clinical trials and just three had confirmed coronavirus infections after they were fully vaccinated.
In April, the CDC had walked back comments made by Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky after she suggested that people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus never become infected or transmit the virus to others - sparking national confusion.
'It's possible that some people who are fully vaccinated could get COVID-19. The evidence isn't clear whether they can spread the virus to others. We are continuing to evaluate the evidence,' a spokesperson for the CDC told The New York Times.
It remains unclear if vaccinated people can spread the coronavirus to those who are not vaccinated and what those percentage numbers may be.
Studies show people who are fully vaccinated are less likely to pass the virus on, although research is continuing.
Masks became heavily politicized under the administration of former President Donald Trump. Rules over face coverings sparked countless rows across the United States between people who view them as an essential public safety tool, and others who claim they're an affront to their personal freedom.
The CDC's continued murkiness about who and when people should wear masks under the Biden administration has furthered the divide even as the agency relaxed most of its remaining guidelines this week.
Even further confusion has spread as some states like New York have decided to keep mask mandates in place even after the CDC relaxed its guidelines nationally.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden celebrated the new CDC mask guidance while not wearing a mask. He faced criticism from Republicans for continuing to wear one indoors and was accused of potentially undermining trust in COVID vaccines, like the Pfizer one he was given.
'Today is a great day for America. For now, after a year of hard work and so much sacrifice, the rule is very simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do,' Biden said in the White House Rose Garden.
A map shows states that have or have not lifted their mas mandates
However, last week Biden had snapped at a reporter when the fully vaccinated president was asked why he continues to wear a mask 'so often' before he then put his mask on outdoors to fly to Camp David for the weekend again.
Biden, who received the first dose of the Pfizer shot on live television in December, had walked out to the podium with his mask on but removed it to give a briefing on the April jobs report in the East Room of the White House.
'You walked out to the podium with your mask on. Why do you choose to wear a mask so often when you're vaccinated and you're around other people who are vaccinated,' the reporter asked.
Biden replied: 'Because I'm worried about you.'
The president then paused for a moment for effect before telling the press that it was a joke.
'No, that's a joke. It's a joke. Why am I wearing the mask? Because, when we're inside, it's still good policy to wear the mask. That's why,' Biden said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines note that masks should be worn any time a person is in locations like correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Otherwise, mask mandates have been largely lifted.
'Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance,' according to CDC guidelines.
In the United States, 121,768,268 people are now fully vaccinated against the coronavirus while a total of 156,217,367 have received at least one dose, according to CDC data.
No comments