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is a professor of Global and Community Health at . She is an epidemiologist with expertise in Coronaviruses and interventions to reduce the transmission and impact of infectious diseases. Roess shares current information on the new variant of COVID-19, double masking, and vaccines.
How concerned should we be about the new variant?
Well, I think it’s really important to realize that we’re still really in the thick of things regarding the COVID pandemic. And so, we’re asking people to continue to wear masks, to continue to social distance. Because there is emerging evidence that there is a more virulent or more transmissible strain that is now in the US and that may become the dominant strain. While we wait to have more people get the vaccine it’s really important that we continue to wear masks and to practice social distancing.
Does wearing two masks help to combat COVID-19?
First, it’s really important that people wear masks. Wear one mask and make sure you’re wearing the right kind of mask. No bandanas, no neck gaiters and no masks that have valves. So first, make sure that you’re wearing at least one mask of good quality. And if you wear the mask it has to cover your nose and mouth. There is plenty of evidence to show that wearing masks is effective in protecting those around you and in also protecting yourself. And this is why the message has been and continues to be that we all need to wear masks to protect each other and yourself.
Now some populations may have a good reason to double mask, and you may notice that when you go to your doctor’s office or your dentist’s office that a lot of the workers there are wearing double masks. And this is common practice because they’re getting very close to individuals outside of their household – their patients. And so, in those situations it makes sense to wear the double mask. Wearing two good quality masks can provide an extra layer of protection and this is why those groups are wearing two masks. Now if you are going to a grocery store or a place where it’s difficult to social distance, you could consider wearing two masks for that added layer of protection. But it is important to realize that wearing one mask is critical, so at the very least do that.
If I get the vaccine how long do I have to wait to see my loved ones?
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In this case, you are going to want to wait until you get the two doses of the vaccine – the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine. It may be the case that if you wait 2-3 weeks after the second dose that you’re likely to have that maximum effectiveness, that maximum protection from the vaccine. But keep in mind that you still should wear your mask and you should practice some social distancing when you visit your relatives, especially older relatives. Because while these vaccines are highly effective according to the data, there is still a chance that you could unknowingly transmit the virus, although that chance is very small.
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Will more people be safe due to receiving the vaccine or will we reach heard immunity before a majority of the population is vaccinated?
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What we know so far is that there seems to be some re-infection occurring. The literature suggests that anywhere between 6-8 months after an individual was naturally infected with this virus, they may be susceptible again. So, it will be difficult in the current circumstances to reach herd immunity because you will have individuals that could be susceptible again. It really will be important to remain vigilant, wear those masks, social distance, get the vaccine when it becomes available to you so that you can continue to operate in the safest way as possible.
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About ÑÇÖÞAV
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ÑÇÖÞAV is Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 37,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. For more information, visitÌý.
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About the College of Health and Human Services
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ÑÇÖÞAV's College of Health and Human Services prepares students to become leaders and shape the public's health through academic excellence, research of consequence and interprofessional practice. The College enrolls 1,917 undergraduate students and 950 graduate students in its nationally recognized offerings, including: 5 undergraduate degrees, 12 graduate degrees, and 11 certificate programs. The College is transitioning to a college public health in the near future. For more information, visitÌý.
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