The paper gives short shrift to evidence that vaccines nearly eliminate the risk of infection.
by Jacob Sullum
Reason.com
The latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say fully vaccinated Americans do not need to wear face masks or practice physical distancing except when business policy or government regulation requires them to do so. But “despite the new guidelines,” The New York Times says in a story about the loosening of that city’s COVID-19 restrictions, “many experts still suggest wearing a mask indoors when not eating or drinking. People should maintain social distance when possible. And they should try to choose outdoors over indoors.”
Just to be clear: This is the advice that the “many experts” cited by the Times are giving to people who have been fully vaccinated. Although they may have naively assumed those shots protected them against COVID-19, the Times is saying, they should not let down their guard just yet. But that position seems absurdly cautious in light of the evidence showing how remarkably effective the vaccines are.