A lot of us are fully vaccinated now. Some are on the cusp. And we know that most doctors have been vaccinated against COVID-19 for quite a while now.
So as we consider our (very near) future and all its possibilities, we may wonder what infectious diseases and other COVID-19 experts are thinking. And doing. And avoiding. The Enquirer asked: "Would you do this, doc?"
Here’s who we asked:
- Dr. Jennifer Forrester, associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and associate chief medical officer at UC Health.
- Dr. Robert Frenck, infectious disease expert and director of the Gamble Vaccine Research Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
- Dr. Thomas Lamarre, infectious disease specialist, Christ Hospital.
- Dr. Stephen Major, Mercy Hospital critical care and pulmonology specialist.
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Here's what we asked, and what they said:
Question: Would you go to a big wedding? Inside? Outside?
Forrester: "No. We are still at a high level (of COVID-19 cases). Also, given that we are still not sure about how the vaccine protects us against the variants and the majority of people are still not vaccinated, a large gathering where I am not sure of the status of others isn't in the cards just yet."
Frenck: "I think it is a bit early to attend large gatherings. While COVID-19 vaccines have proven exceptionally effective against preventing disease, we are not sure how well the vaccines prevent against infection. The concern is that, while a vaccinated person is unlikely to get sick, we don’t know whether they still can get the virus in the nose and subsequently pass to others."
Lamarre: "I would attend an outside wedding with social distancing in place. An indoor wedding remains a high-risk activity and I would not attend unless there was a way to document that everyone attending is fully vaccinated."
Major: "I would attend an outside wedding if everyone was wearing a mask – except for the bride and groom of course."
Q: Wear a mask? For how long?
Forrester: "One hundred percent yes, I do wear a mask. First, we don't yet know if vaccinated people can transmit the virus and I would not want to expose anyone to this disease. Remember, too, the vaccine is not 100% effective, and we are still unclear of how much the current vaccines protect us from the newer variants."
Frenck: Yes. "While we are making progress, we aren’t doing quite well enough to shed masks."
Lamarre: "I will continue to wear a mask in public spaces – and ideally, this should continue through at minimum the next one year."
Major: "I will continue to wear a mask until the pandemic has ended. I am vaccinated, but people out and about will not know that."
Q: Go to a store just to browse?
Forrester: "If the store is not busy and I can keep my distance, I do go to stores to grab something, but I try not to spend too much time indoors with people I don't know. "
Frenck: "If you wear a mask and continue appropriate distancing, I think this will be fine."
Lamarre: "Yes, I shop in public spaces with a mask and when social distancing is evident (with mandates still in place). However, if a store is crowded or individuals are not wearing masks, I would not enter."
Major: "I tried to avoid that even before the pandemic – unless my wife makes me go."
Q: Take your kids to an indoor museum or amusement center?
Forrester: "No, kids aren't vaccinated yet. "
Frenck: "We only have a vaccine for kids 16 years old and above. I think there is a good chance we will have vaccine licensed for 12 years and above by August. But, the younger children still is going to be a while. Amusement parks are going to have lines, often winding lines where you have people on each side of you (as well as in front and back). I don’t think appropriate distancing will be possible. But, if people can find a way to have distancing, OK. A museum is great for the mind and likely less crowded. So, the museum would be a safer option."
Lamarre: "Yes, I would go to a museum or related venue if widespread masking and social distancing are in place, but it would depend on the size of the crowd and the size of the building. I would feel comfortable if it was held in a large building, with limitations on size of the event and if everyone is masking."
Major: "Yes with masks and social distancing."
Q: Jump in the car with a bunch of friends who are also vaccinated to head to a beach?
Forrester: "Hanging out outside with others who are vaccinated seems like a reasonable start to move out of our year-long bubbles."
Frenck: "The CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has said that, if you are in a private setting and if everyone in the group is fully vaccinated…you can have a gathering without masks. I think a car ride would be OK. The beach obviously is a public place and to me, the same as the restrictions regarding a big gathering."
Lamarre: "Yes, I would be very comfortable socializing, traveling, etc., with friends who are fully vaccinated. Further, we would not have to wear masks."
Major: "Yes."
Q: How about in a car with friends who aren’t vaccinated?
Forrester: "No. We are not sure yet if vaccinated folks can transmit to unvaccinated folks and if those who are vaccinated are susceptible to the variant strains."
Frenck: "See my answer about why we still need to wear masks. In this setting, you won’t get sick but not sure about you getting infected and subsequently transmit to others."
Lamarre: "No, I would not do that."
Major: "No."
Q: Go to a Reds game? (Remember, Gov. Mike DeWine announced 30% capacity at Great American Ball Park for 2021.) Would you stay 6 feet apart from people getting food, condiments, going to the Reds store?
Forrester: "In an outdoor stadium where I can have a good distance – greater than 6 feet at least! – from others would be OK. I would still wear a mask when in communal areas." (Note: The Reds are requiring patrons to wear masks unless taking a bite of food or a sip from a drink. Ushers are reminding fans of the policy.)
Frenck: "Depends on their pitching staff and if it is worthwhile buying a ticket! I have attended many games where it would be easy to be 6 feet apart, especially after the fourth or fifth inning! I don’t think it will be hard to have 6 feet spacing between people waiting in line. It would be nice to have people spaced a bit apart."
Lamarre: "As I am fully vaccinated, if there is social distancing in place and this event is outside, I would be comfortable attending a Reds game. If everyone is masking and there is social distancing, getting food and shopping in the Reds store would be safe."
Major: "I would attend but I would try to maintain social distancing and would wear a mask."
Q: How about a high school or college graduation?
Forrester: "Nope. Again, same as a busy grocery store or a wedding."
Frenck: "This is the same scenario as the wedding. In summary, things are getting better, but we need to remain vigilant continue with precautions. As people who have been vaccinated, we need to be ambassadors as to why everyone needs to be vaccinated."
Lamarre: "Yes, if held outside with social distancing in place."
Major: "Only if decreased capacity and social distancing is maintained. I think large indoor events are best avoided altogether unless vaccinated."
Q: Head for an indoor bar or restaurant with friends?
Forrester: "No, see above."
Frenck: "See answer about being in a group of vaccinated people."
Lamarre: "This remains a high-risk activity at present and I would not do that at this time."
Major: "Yes, as long as there is reduced indoor capacity. Outdoor seating is even better."
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