CDC Issues Labor Day Weekend 'Suggestion' for Unvaccinated Americans
Americans who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus should stay home and not travel over the Labor Day weekend, according to the director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“First and foremost, if you are unvaccinated, we would recommend not traveling,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters during a White House COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, according to a White House transcript.
Walensky said that “people who are fully vaccinated and who are wearing masks can travel. Although given where we are with disease transmission right now, we would say that people need to take their own — these risks into their own consideration as they think about traveling.”
Planning #travel? Because of the #COVID19 pandemic, masks are still required inside public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and U.S. public transportation hubs. Find out more about the requirement here: https://t.co/ALsmX8GKQf pic.twitter.com/5uTGGWmaON
— CDC Travel Health (@CDCtravel) August 25, 2021
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s briefing, she raised the question of whether anyone should spend time with those who are not vaccinated.
“First, if gathering with family and friends, remember that spending time outside with others who are vaccinated will help to prevent transmission. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen that the vast majority of transmission takes place among unvaccinated people in closed, indoor settings,” the CDC director said.
Walensky said nothing makes a holiday more convivial than a mask.
“Second, when in public indoor settings, please wear a mask — vaccinated or unvaccinated. As I’ve said before, masks are not forever, but they are for now,” she said. “Given the high transmissibility of the delta variant and the significant community transmission in this country, wearing a mask is the easiest way for anyone, regardless of your vaccination status, to slow the spread of disease.”
I was planning on staying home, but now I’m suddenly feeling an overwhelming desire to travel.
— Brett Nunley (@NunleyBrett) September 1, 2021
I am passionate about #COVID19 vax & our family of 4 will soon be fully vaccinated. But I am concerned about discrimination for people too young or too sick to receive vaccines. How will we allow them to participate in travel & public life?https://t.co/gCwWwjlCC7
— Mardi Steere ? (@mardi_steere) August 29, 2021
Walensky said if anyone is forced to be in the company of the unvaccinated, he or she should try to sell them on the vaccine.
“Third, talk with family and friends who are still unvaccinated about the benefits of the vaccine and consider taking them to get vaccinated over the long holiday weekend,” she said.
Joe Biden orders the unvaxxed to not travel over the Labor Day weekend
The unvaxxed don’t care what Biden says or they would have gotten the vaccine to meet his July deadline
— Megan (@_Megan_TX) September 1, 2021
A friend of mine can’t take the vaccine & now he can’t join his friends inside for a coffee because he has a medical condition
Do u know how that feels?
That’s discrimination based on disability which is illegal
— Kate #NoVaccinePassportsAnywhere (@RiseDespiteThem) September 1, 2021
During the briefing Tuesday, COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients also touched on vaccination as an important part of the upcoming holiday.
“We need more individuals to step up too,” Zients said. “As people across the country prepare for Labor Day weekend, it’s critical that being vaccinated is part of their pre-holiday checklist.”
He did not explain how, given the time it takes to acquire protection through any vaccine, this would impact Labor Day safety.
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