Do You Still Need to Mask Up After Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Most of us who have been following the rules and always wearing a facemask in public during this pandemic are dreaming of the day we can finally throw them in the trash, but my friends, that day is still a long ways off.

Yes Illinois is trucking along in their COVID-19 vaccine administering plans, but not even the vaccine can guarantee you won't get the virus.

According to clevelandclinic.org;

Face masks and physical distancing will need to continue into the foreseeable future,” explains infectious disease specialist Kristin Englund, MD. “Unfortunately, getting vaccinated does not instantly mean we can go back to how life was before. Until we have some level of herd immunity, the vaccine is now just another layer of protection against COVID-19.”

For those that are wondering, herd immunity won't be reached until at least half of the community is vaccinated, and with the amount of people still not wanting to get the shot, I fear that goal isn't going to be reached anytime soon.

The Cleveland Clinic also provides 5 reasons why you still need to wear your face mask even after you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19;

1. It takes time for the full effects of the vaccine to kick in.
2. The COVID-19 vaccine does not provide 100% protection.
3. Vaccinated persons may still be asymptomatic spreaders.
4. We still need to protect those that cannot be vaccinated and have compromised immune systems.
5. There are limited doses of the vaccine.

I know that the 5 reasons listed above are pretty much why a lot of people are choosing  not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and I totally get it...BUT...some protection is better than no protection right? Just please keep wearing those masks with the hope this whole pandemic mess will soon be a distant, annoying memory!

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