With about 2,602,326 Minnesotans now completely vaccinated it is starting to feel much safer to be outside and with friends. Since the vaccine lowers the chances of people to get the virus, the mask mandate changed. It’s no longer a statewide mandate and businesses can make their own regulations but students in school still have to wear a mask for the rest of the school year. 

As of now, I believe removing the mask mandate is not a smart decision. People who aren’t vaccinated don’t have to wear a face mask, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. It’s recommended that individuals wear a mask but they don’t have to. This makes it easier for the virus to spread around. If we still had a statewide mandate, people might feel they need to get the vaccine in order to not have to wear a mask. Then the virus would not be spread around as much, and because of the vaccine limiting symptoms that makes you more likely to be asymptomatic and could be spreading it around.    

Another reason for why it is bad to lift the mask mandate is that even with the vaccine you are not completely immune. It dramatically reduces the effect of the virus and your chances of getting it. So even though we are going back to a little bit of normalcy, the pandemic and the virus still exists and it’s reckless to not take it as seriously now.

We should also wear masks for people who can’t get the vaccine. People who have autoimmune diseases still have a high risk if they get the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommended that people who may have an allergic reaction should not get the vaccine. So anyone you come in contact with even after being fully vaccinated is a risk because you don’t know where they’re going and who they could spread it to. 

Overall, wearing a mask is just the safer option right now. Even though we are getting back to normal, the pandemic is still very much alive. We’ve been wearing masks for over a year now, so wearing it a little bit longer won’t impact anyone, and it will do more good than bad. So please just wear a mask and hopefully the pandemic will be completely over soon.