What do the new CDC rules mean in KC? Are we at herd immunity? Your COVID questions, answered
As COVID-19 cases decline in Kansas City, schools, restaurants and other buildings are scaling back their COVID-19 protocols. Masks are no longer required around the metro as the shape of the pandemic shifts.
The community continues to adapt to the environment and the changes, but what does that mean for you?
We’ve been getting a bunch of questions from readers. Here are some of the answers we’ve found.
The CDC is changing their guidance. What should people know about it?
The CDC changed its guidelines around masks.
Masks aren’t recommended as necessary for people that live in areas that are “low” risk, according to the CDC. However, if you’re at a higher risk of getting sick from COVID-19 or you live in an area where the level is “medium,” the guidance says masks are a good idea but maybe not necessary. If you’re in a “high level” area, the CDC recommends that you definitely wear a mask in indoor public settings.
Around Kansas City, Jackson County is currently in a “high” level, so the CDC is recommending that masks are worn indoors, while Johnson County is at a “medium” level.
The CDC is looking at three key data points to determine the risk level for if you need a mask:
Hospital capacity
New COVID-19 cases
New COVID-19 hospitalizations
Dr. Ginny Boos, director of infection prevention at Saint Luke’s, said the way that the CDC is now evaluating risk will provide better insight to support hospitals and their resources for other conditions that pop up.
She also noted that the guidance will give better information for how a community should respond if conditions worsen. If positive COVID-19 rates return to peak omicron levels, states could bring back prior restrictions.
Right now, cases have consistently been trending downward around Kansas City.
If people want to return to activities like a cycling class at their gym, is it safer to do so now? What should people know?
Returning to the gym or other indoor activities may be safer now because community prevalence rates are much lower.
“The decision to return to these activities – particularly maskless – depends on an individual’s health status and the overall community prevalence or COVID-19 positivity rate,” Dr. Boos said. “These data points are still not zero but improving, and therefore, the risks for contracting the virus is lower.”
Did omicron get us to “herd immunity” and what should people know about that?
The short answer is no. Herd immunity is the idea that enough people have immunity against a disease, which helps the population stay protected from it. Look at how polio’s in the mud after so many people received that vaccine.
Dr. Sarah Boyd, an infectious disease expert on Saint Luke’s COVID-19 response team, said we’re not there yet, and we might not get there because of evolving variants.
She said those who have been vaccinated and were recently infected with COVID-19 in the past 90 days have a lower risk of reinfection, but that reinfection is definitely possible as more variants come.
She said that different variants of COVID-19 have different rates of causing infection when a person is exposed because some are more contagious than others.
“We also are still learning how long that immunity provides protection against a new COVID-19 infection,” Dr. Boyd said. “It is not yet clear that we will reach herd immunity in the U.S.”
If there are more contagious variants like omicron, the percentage of the population that would need to have immunity would need to be very high to stop ongoing transmission.
Is there any other guidance based on the latest trends?
Although there’s a good reason to be optimistic that the pandemic is waning, Dr. Boos warned everyone that we’ve been here before. She recommended the following:
If you’re ill, stay home.
If you have COVID-19-like symptoms, get tested.
If you’re using an antigen or home test and the results are negative, following up with a PCR test is a good idea – at minimum re-test five days after your symptoms started.
“There’s no magic bullet here, but individuals need to consider the risks and benefits of their activities,” Dr. Boos said. “These decisions affect daycare availability, hospital capacity, having to use vacation days for illness or taking care of someone that has been exposed or ill.”
She urged the community to do multiple things to prevent the virus from spreading, including getting vaccinated, social distancing, masking in situations of higher risk or if you’re around others experiencing symptoms and washing your hands often.
What precautions should immunocompromised people and other people at higher risk of getting sick if infected with COVID-19take as the guidelines change?
Dr. Boyd said that people who are immunocompromised, live or care for those that are immunocompromised or too young for vaccination should continue to take precautions against COVID-19.
Some ways to protect yourself and others are:
Wear a mask when unable to socially distance in large crowds or indoor public settings for people ages 2 and up.
Follow vaccination guidance to stay up to date on vaccines, if available for your age and medical conditions.
Those who are severely immunocompromised should speak with their physician to see if monoclonal antibodies used for pre-exposure may be an option for the prevention of severe illness.
Is there anything people should do to be mindful of people who are immunocompromised as guidance loosens?
Dr. Boyd suggested you should do this if you’re around someone who’s immunocompromised:
Wear a mask when you are around them, particularly if you’re not a part of their household.
Maintain social distancing when in public since you may not know who is at higher risk around you.
Consider getting tested prior to gathering with someone who is immunocompromised or at high risk.
If you are ill, get tested and follow guidance for isolation if your test is positive.
