Tired of not seeing your friends? Me too! Not that I’m the most social person in the world but you certainly realize how much you rely on getting out and seeing people in a social way. That's why I’m glad to know the vaccine is making its rounds. My mom already has received it and my son is scheduled for his second round in a week. But it’s hard to know exactly what life after the vaccine will be like, and whether we can really get back to socializing with or without social distancing.
Where we were one year ago: Social distancing becoming a thing
Going forward: Can you go out after the vaccination?
Moving forward is something that I think we are all ready for. “After a year of spending so much time at home, society as a whole seems ready to get back to some normalcy again — seeing friends and family in person, eating out at restaurants, traveling, scheduling playdates, kids returning to school, etc,” marriage and family therapist Heidi McBain told Mom.com.
While she nails the sentiment we all feel, it still begs the question as to whether or not you can go out after the vaccination and to what degree. There seems to be some differing opinions on exactly what you can and can’t do. According to Daniel C. DeSimone, M.D. on the Mayo Clinic website, you can visit other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or social distancing. You may also visit unvaccinated people from the same household who are considered low risk.
Of course, everyone’s comfort level with being in public places with strangers will be a personal choice. As parents, we know by now that protecting our families is our responsibility and not everyone in the community is on board with our version of safe standard practices. With that said, Dr. Anthony Fauci recommends that mask usage will still be important after vaccination. In other words, we aren’t out of the woods just yet. Be safe and healthy!
