Get vaccinated and wear a mask

The Montana Nurses Association recognizes that it will take all of us to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Centers for Disease Control announced yesterday that vaccinated Americans living in areas with high or substantial coronavirus transmission should wear masks while indoors in public. The current data suggests that infections and hospitalizations occur in a very small proportion of those who are fully vaccinated, but vaccinated people can spread the virus to others.

Masks and hand washing remain the easiest, most non-invasive methods to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Let’s keep our state open by simply asking those who are not vaccinated to wear a mask, and those who are vaccinated to kindly wear a mask while indoors. As Montana is currently experiencing an increase in covid infections, let’s act now to prevent further outbreaks.

The CDC uses the best science and data available to protect the American people, knowing this is ever changing as the virus is evolving. When science and evidence speak, MNA listens.

Bringing back masks for vaccinated people, especially while indoors, reduces the risk that a person with a breakthrough infection will infect an unvaccinated person, who is still at a much higher risk of serious illness or death. While it is impossible to know who is vaccinated and who is not, let’s take care of each other and our state by wearing masks.

MNA remains concerned about the many variants, especially the Delta variant, and encourages all Montanans to get vaccinated who are able to do so. Encourage your family and friends to get vaccinated and minimize the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Let’s protect each other by stopping the spread of COVID-19.

MNA kindly asks, get vaccinated and wear a mask!

Vicky Byrd is Chief Executive Officer of Montana Nurses Association.