I have been reading so many viewpoints on this topic, thought I would throw my two cents in!
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have ALWAYS respected the public health rules, usually going above and beyond. I truly believe that public health is doing their best to manage a pandemic none of us will have a true grasp on until after it is long over. I have always worn a mask when requested, even wearing one sometimes when not requested, because I wasn't vaccinated yet.
Then, I got vaccinated. Once I was fully vaccinated, I was comfortable no longer wearing a mask. This was based on science. Still, I respected public health. Now, public health in our province has said masks are recommended for non-fully vaccinated people and kids under 12, so I will not be wearing a mask unless specifically asked by a business. And I am thrilled not to be doing so.
I feel like the narrative today is that if you are excited to be getting rid of your mask, you must be someone who doesn't follow the public health guidance or some kind of rebel. What....? I'm following public health guidance to a "t"! I just want others (fully vaccinated) out there to know there are more of us out there. Those of us who are fully vaxxed and ready to proceed safely!
"But kids can't get vaccinated!"
As Dr. R. reiterated today:
Disease experts say kids don't seem to be developing more severe COVID-19 cases as a result of the Delta variant — and don't seem to be somehow more biologically susceptible to contracting the variant than adults are.
"There could be increased transmissibility of this virus, but it's increased transmissibility to all people, not just because you're a child," Ulloa said.
The Scotland researchers found that getting infected with the Delta variant doubled the risk of hospital admission overall relative to the Alpha variant. (Previous studies have suggested that the Alpha variant may be 30 to 70% deadlier than the original strain.) But even if you doubled a child's risk of being hospitalized from a Delta infection, it would still be "minuscule," according to Eyal Leshem, an infectious-disease specialist at Israel's Sheba Medical Center.
That's because severe COVID-19 is extremely rare among children: In the US, kids account for just 1.4 to 3.3% of all COVID-19"
https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-variant-covid-risk-to-children-kids-2021-6#:~:text=1%20COVID-19%20vaccines%20haven%27t%20been%20authorized%20for%20children4%20See%20more%20stories%20on%20Insider%27s%20business%20page.
If cases get high again, it will be time to reconsider masks, but if you're vaccinated and over 12 there is no public health reason to be requiring masks in provinces with low rates of infections.
"Well, Dr. *insert twitter doctor's name* said it's a terrible idea!"
While I respect all doctors and healthcare workers, it is worthwhile to note that they are not public health officers. Their jobs are not on the line if they are right, or wrong. When I hear people use this line, I am often reminded of my own job. There are people who work in my field that have absolutely no idea what's going on in different areas of the field, but are happy to share an opinion, and could sound legit because they're "in the field". Being an ICU doctor does not make you an infectious disease specialist. It does not make you a public health doctor, either. Of course it's good to listen to doctors, but one must remember that ultimately public health guidance should be followed.
Ultimately, remember, if you make the decision for you and your kids to wear masks, that is AWESOME, and I wholeheartedly support you. But don't make those of us who are fully vaccinated, educated people into some kind of villain because we continue to follow public health guidance closely. We're all in this together!
None of this applies to the anti-vax crowd. They're just...things I'm not allowed to say on ebrandon.