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The CDC Updated Its Mask Guidance
If you’re confused by the latest recommendations, you’re not alone
On May 13, 2021 the CDC issued updated guidance on masks. For the most updated recommendations, please visit the CDC’s website
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance on masks. The updated recommendations for when to wear a mask combine vaccination status and a color-coded schema to assign varying levels of risk — green being safest, yellow less safe, and red the least safe — to different activities.
The hot takes were mixed. Many were glad to see evidence-based recommendations that better outline what’s safe and what isn’t. Others found the update too confusing and cautious. In reality, it’s all those things. With a lot of virus still circulating and only 30% of Americans fully vaccinated, it isn’t easy to give blanket guidance.
Does the new CDC infographic leave you a little confused about how to assess your personal risk and whether you need a mask? Here’s a short summary of how to read the new recommendations.
