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On Monday, March 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced updated COVID-19 guidelines for Americans who have received their coronavirus vaccinations.
The new guidelines from the CDC say that those who are fully vaccinated can safely have small gatherings with other households without wearing masks or social distancing.
The gatherings can safely be held with anyone, regardless of whether they have received the vaccine.
“For example, fully vaccinated grandparents can visit indoors with their unvaccinated healthy daughter and her healthy children without wearing masks or physical distancing, provided none of the unvaccinated family members are at risk of severe COVID-19,” said the CDC in a statement, per NBC News.
“This guidance represents a first step toward returning to everyday activities.”
Unfortunately, it is still recommended that everyone wear a mask if they are out in a public space or outside.
Additional information is expected to release in the coming weeks as more data is available and vaccinations become more widely available.
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The coronavirus originated from animals and a majority of those who were infected early either worked at or frequently visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in Wuhan, according to The Guardian. The virus is similar to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers).
The Wuhan coronavirus is transmitted from person to person through “droplet transmission.” That means an infected person can pass the virus by sneezing or coughing on another person as well as by direct contact.
While a majority of the cases have been detected in the United States and China — with more than 29 million confirmed cases and 525,000 deaths in the United States — it has now reached many countries around the world. It has also been confirmed in Italy, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and many other eastern countries.