White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci acknowledged that additional clarification on the new Mask guidance likely

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, following the US CDC’s announcement of updated mask guidance on May 14, federal health officials have spent the past several days “defending” the updated guidance. Numerous accounts describe the new guidance that eliminated recommendations for mask use and physical distancing for fully vaccinated individuals in most situations as “surprising” or “startling.” Reportedly, the CDC did not brief state and local health officials on the changes prior to the announcement, which resulted in many being caught off guard by the new guidance. Numerous states and businesses removed or relaxed mask mandates in response to the change, some with little or no advance notice. The sudden change has caused confusion among the public, state and local health and elected officials, and schools and businesses, particularly regarding whether (and how) to maintain mandates for unvaccinated individuals while allowing vaccinated individuals to go maskless.

Some experts applauded the change, but others expressed concern about both the policy’s content and its rollout. While many felt guidance has evolved too slowly, the CDC is now being criticized for overcorrecting and moving too quickly. Some are concerned that the change—and subsequent end of mandates—will encourage individuals to forego COVID-19 protective measures, such as mask use, even if they are not yet vaccinated, which could increase the risk for individuals who are not yet fully protected. Some argue that the guidance is based, at least in part, on the assumption that anyone who wants to get vaccinated is already fully protected. Notably, some states only expanded eligibility to everyone aged 16 years and older in late April, adolescents aged 12-15 have only been eligible since May 12, children under the age of 12 are still not eligible at all, and millions of individuals with compromised immune systems either cannot be vaccinated or may only obtain partial protection. National Nurses United, the country’s largest nurses union, issued a statement opposing the new guidance, emphasizing concern about ongoing elevated daily incidence, increasing prevalence of variants of concern, risk to healthcare workers and patients, and the disproportionate impact on historically underserved Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous populations.

In a Facebook post Valley Health System said please be advised, the statement from the CDC excluded hospitals and healthcare facilities. The CDC’s statement also acknowledged that the public should continue to follow local, state, and employer-based regulations currently in place. New Jersey state regulations still require masks to be worn.

To that end, Valley Health System will continue to adhere to New Jersey state regulations and follow the most current hospital-based protocols, continuing to mandate our mask policy. Please continue to wear a mask when visiting all Valley Health System facilities including; The Valley Hospital, Valley Medical Group offices, Luckow Pavilion, Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, Valley Center for Health and Wellness, and Valley Health LifeStyles.

We appreciate your understanding and adherence to all health and safety protocols!

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky emphasized that the risk of infection and transmission for vaccinated individuals is very low and that the changes stem from evolving data. She also encouraged “individual assessment of…risk” and stressed unvaccinated individuals should continue practicing physical distancing and mask use. White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci acknowledged that additional clarification on the new guidance likely would be published in the coming weeks.