Buzz
While we yearn for the days before the pandemic—when masks were unnecessary, and we could freely visit crowded spaces, travel, host gatherings, attend concerts, and dine alongside friends and strangers—those days won’t return anytime soon. Despite promising vaccine developments, keep your masks handy.
Although we may eventually stop using masks, a return to pre-pandemic life is unlikely within the next couple of years. Here’s the reason:
It’s still unclear whether the vaccine can stop the spread of the virus
Current efficacy data indicates that both Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine, the first COVID-19 vaccine approved in the US, and Moderna’s, which is expected to be the second, are highly effective at preventing illness.
However, it remains unclear whether the vaccine stops individuals from contracting the virus entirely or merely prevents the infection from causing symptoms. While it likely accomplishes both, there isn’t sufficient data to confirm this.
This means that even after receiving the vaccine, you could still transmit the virus to others. Therefore, if you’ve been vaccinated, it’s crucial to continue wearing a mask in the presence of others.
Not everyone is eligible for the vaccine yet
At present, vaccine supplies are extremely limited, with priority given to healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities like nursing homes. Other high-risk individuals will follow in subsequent phases.
Even as vaccine supplies increase, not everyone will be able to receive the vaccine. Some individuals may opt out, while others might have medical conditions, such as allergies to vaccine components, that prevent them from getting vaccinated.
Additionally, the vaccine is not approved for children. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals aged 16 and older, and Moderna’s for those 18 and above. No manufacturer has conducted extensive trials on younger age groups yet.
As a result, children and many teenagers will need to continue wearing masks for the foreseeable future. Although children are less likely to develop severe illness, they can still transmit the virus—potentially less frequently than adults, but studies are ongoing. With children comprising over 20% of the US population, achieving herd immunity will remain challenging until they can be vaccinated.
During this transitional phase, where not everyone is vaccinated, gatherings and travel will require caution, with mask mandates still enforced. It’s impractical to verify medical records at events like concerts, parties, or family gatherings, so distancing and masks will likely remain necessary in many settings until COVID-19 cases significantly decline.
Masks are beneficial, in fact
Prior to COVID-19, wearing a face mask in public often carried a stigma. Initially, I doubted whether Americans would adopt this practice. However, masks have been widely accepted in Asia for years, serving purposes beyond pandemics.
Masks are effective in preventing the spread of germs during common colds or flu, a practice long established in Asia. They also prove useful in other scenarios, such as keeping your nose warm when a scarf isn’t practical.
Even if the vaccine distribution accelerates, proves safe for all, and effectively halts transmission, masks will remain essential for COVID-19 prevention for some time. Beyond the pandemic, they’ll continue to be a practical tool to have on hand.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly omitted the word “not” in the sentence “And, crucially, the vaccine is not authorized for children.”
