Local doctor reacts to new CDC guidelines that fully vaccinated people can gather without masks

PITTSBURGH — If you’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine, you can now gather indoors with other vaccinated people without wearing a mask or social distancing.

The CDC released the new guidelines Monday morning.

But even if you have been vaccinated, the CDC is still advising you to wear a mask, avoid large gatherings and continue to social distance when in public.

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An infection disease specialist at UPMC told Channel 11 this is a small step in the return to normalcy.

“This is saying that there are some ways that we can enjoy social interaction, instead of the phone and video conferencing, and feel some of the warmth in our lives, but doing so without putting us at risk of more pain and suffering with the pandemic or at least making that risk really, really small,” said Dr. Graham Snyder.

A person is considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after the second Pfizer or Moderna shot, and two weeks after the single Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

CDC issues new guidelines, fully-vaccinated people can gather without masks (NCD)