As the end of winter approaches in the United States, several cities and states, especially those ruled by the Democratic Party, are leaving restrictions imposed to contain Covid-19 behind.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the country has been experiencing a scenario of politicization of the fight against the health crisis. In general, Democrats advocate more caution, while Republicans are against restrictions.
As the rules are relaxed, seats under President Joe Biden’s party are getting closer to the reality of states ruled by Republicans, where many restrictions ended last year or were not even established.
This Tuesday (15), Washington suspended the requirement that establishments ask for proof of vaccination from patrons of restaurants, gyms and other leisure places. And the use of masks in closed places will no longer be charged from March 1 – with some exceptions, such as in schools and on public transport.
In announcing the measure on Monday (14), Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser said that the immunizing requirement has already served its purpose, as more than 50,000 people were vaccinated after the rule was announced. Currently, more than 93% of residents of the District of Columbia have had at least one dose of the vaccine. The national rate is 76%.
Also on Tuesday, California started to allow vaccinated people to stop wearing masks in some closed environments, such as work and leisure spaces. Protection will continue to be required, however, in schools, hospitals and prisons.
Last week, the state of New York lifted the requirement for masks in public places, but gave each city autonomy to trigger or suspend its own measures. Chicago, Illinois, announced plans to end mandatory face protection and proof of vaccination from the end of February — if new coronavirus cases continue to decline.
In another Democratic stronghold, the state of New Jersey, it will no longer be necessary to wear masks starting March 7. Similar decisions were taken even in Connecticut, Delaware and Oregon.
In Republican states like Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas, the picture is different. There is no charge for a mask or vaccination, and state laws prohibit businesses, schools and other places from requiring proof of vaccination or wearing a face shield.
In the country, each state and city has autonomy to decide its rules. A national mandate requires the use of a mask only on public transport, such as buses, trains and planes, as well as in federal government facilities. Today, only 6 of the 50 states, in addition to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, require the use of masks: Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, California, Washington and Hawaii.
In the American capital, the routine is to walk with the face free through the streets and put on the mask when entering closed establishments, such as supermarkets, restaurants and bars. The vaccine passport became required a month ago, on January 15th. The charge for proof of immunization was quite frequent, although, in practice, it did not occur on all occasions foreseen by the authorities.
On at least two occasions, Washington restaurant waiters asked this reporter to present the vaccination pass, but moments later, they went to other tables and seemed to forget to look at the document. If they do not comply with the rule, establishments can receive fines of up to US$ 1,000 and, in case of a repeat offence, lose their operating license.
At hockey and basketball games, already held with full houses, gymnasium employees inspect the stands looking for fans without a mask. From a distance, they shine a strong light on the face of those without the accessory until the protection is replaced – only those who are eating or drinking can be without a mask.
In the opposite direction, the city of Boston chose to intensify measures. Starting this Tuesday, only those who present proof that they have received at least doses of the coronavirus vaccine will be able to attend restaurants, gyms and other leisure spaces.
Mayor Michelle Wu said Boston is not yet ready to waive the mask requirement. However, she established an indicator that, if achieved, could be the trigger for a retreat in restrictions: the occupancy of ICUs must be below 95%, hospitalizations for Covid cannot exceed 200 per day and the incidence of positive results is at most 5% of the total number of tests.
Rafael Meza, professor of infectology at the University of Michigan, believes that it is difficult to establish precise metrics to decide when to take the measures, but that this analysis must always be carried out at the local level, since, within the same state, conditions can be very varied from one region to another.
For the expert, relaxing measures when the number of cases decreases is a good idea to make it clear that restrictions will be used only when it is really necessary. “People are tired, and it’s important that they don’t feel that the restrictions imposed will never be lifted,” he says. ”We need to better explain why decisions to put measures in and to withdraw them. The disparity in actions between states, in addition to being confusing, also erodes public trust.”
The federally administered Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the releases still premature. “Now is not the time. The CDC’s guidance has not changed,” said Rochelle Walensky, director of the entity. “We continue to recommend masks in high transmission areas. I know people are interested in taking off masks. So am I.”
Anthony Fauci, the Biden administration’s top medical adviser, has been more optimistic. “There is no way to eradicate this virus. But I hope we are looking at a time when we have enough people vaccinated and with protection acquired from previous infections that Covid restrictions will soon be a thing of the past,” he said, in a statement. interview with the Financial Times.
