Dear Diane,
There are so many new social rules when it comes to spending time with people outside of my immediate family and I am totally confused as to what is appropriate when getting together with a few close friends. We are finally at a point where several of us have had the vaccine (both doses). And we are ready to share a cocktail and catch up. I want to host a small gathering in my backyard this weekend and I’m not sure how to proceed. Two of my girlfriends say we don’t have to wear masks (one of them is a nurse). And another girlfriend says she will keep hers on anyways. I would appreciate any thoughts you have to offer.
ES
Dear ES,
Things are changing and updating daily and just this week, the CDC put out a statement that says fully vaccinated Americans can spend time together indoors without a mask. The definition of “fully vaccinated” is more than two weeks after receiving their second dose in a two-dose series. Or two weeks after they have received a single dose vaccine. Further, if a vaccinated person is exposed to the virus, there is no need to quarantine or get tested.
Fully Vaccinated
From a host’s standpoint, if your close friends have been fully vaccinated, you can feel relief knowing you have the CDC’s backing, which states you can entertain both outdoors, as you mentioned, or inside if the weather precludes an outdoor cocktail.
Not Fully Vaccinated
You didn’t mention any friends who may not have had the vaccine yet but I will offer what the CDC states when vaccinated people visit with unvaccinated people from multiple households. “If the unvaccinated people come from multiple households, there is a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among them. Therefore, all people involved should take precautions including wearing a well-fitted mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, and visiting outdoors or in a well-ventilated space.
Some Vaccinated
Continuing the example above, if fully vaccinated grandparents are visiting with their unvaccinated daughter and her children and the daughter’s unvaccinated neighbors also come over, the visit should then take place outdoors, wearing well-fitted masks, and maintaining physical distance (at least 6 feet). This is due to the risk the two unvaccinated households pose to one another.”
To Each Their Own
Regarding the comment about your girlfriend who stills prefers to keep her mask on during this timeframe… Welcome her with a smile. And allow her to navigate her well-being in her own way within her own comfort level.
Finally, I would suggest to anyone planning to host a gathering, or attend a gathering with others, to carefully review the updated guidelines to see the most current information.
I am a R.N. and have had friends that have had Covid more than once. Yes the 2nd case was less serious but it was still transmitted. One was at a funeral and the other was at church. The imuno-compromised person still must wear masks and be scrupulous with hand washing, etc. Also this germ can mutate every time it finds a host. Germs tend to become super bugs with time that become resistant to the meds we have at our disposal to fight them. Just saying I would keep events outside and limit them to only vaccinated, recently tested or quarantined guests.