COVID vaccine reunites families

PHOTO: The Centers for Disease Control provide detailed guidelines for vaccinated individuals.

By Sean Gallagher,

BlueDevilHUB.com Editor–

On March 8th, almost an entire year since the pandemic put the world on pause, the Centers for Disease Control issued the long-awaited news that COVID-19 restrictions could ease up for fully vaccinated individuals.

In addition to being able to gather indoors unmasked with other vaccinated people, families who have been separated can start to see each other again.

A CDC report detailed that those who have been vaccinated “can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.”

Some Davis residents have been able to reunite and see their vaccinated elderly family members. Sophomore Emily Haws recently saw her grandparents again, though still socially distanced. 

“It was great to see them, and it felt much safer because they were vaccinated,” Haws said.

Thanks in part to these new guidelines, 12-year-old Ty Kishiyama and family enjoyed his first in-person meal in a year with his grandparents, who had received the vaccine earlier this month. 

“It was after my grandpa’s birthday so we were able to celebrate his birthday [together],” Kishiyama said.

Despite their restrictions being looser, fully vaccinated individuals must continue to adhere to guidelines set by the CDC. 

Vaccinated people are still required to follow many precautions like wearing a mask, keeping 6-foot distance and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated places. 

Researchers and COVID experts are still learning how the COVID-19 vaccine deals with variants of COVID-19. Early data show the vaccines may work against some variants, but could be less effective against others, according to the CDC.

Additionally, early data suggests that  vaccines may help prevent the spread of the virus, but results are still preliminary.esearchers continue to learn more as vaccines are distributed.

For up-to-date information on recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated people, visit the CDC’s website at www.CDC.gov.