The following is a press release from the City of Framingham
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health Now Advices Fully Vaccinated People with Weakened Immune Systems or Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Diseases to Wear a Mask When Indoors
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FRAMINGHAM – Today, July 30, in light of the information provided by the CDC, and to maximize the protection of vulnerable individuals from the Delta variant of COVID-19, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) now advises that a fully vaccinated person should wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
Your primary care provider can advise you whether you are at increased risk. Information from the CDC
on the conditions that may put you at increased risk can be found here:
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An individual is fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. However, if a fully vaccinated individual becomes symptomatic, they should be tested and wear a mask until receiving test results.
All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) must continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including transportation and health care facilities. Please see www.mass.gov/maskrules for a complete list of venues where face coverings remain mandatory as of May 29, 2021.
It is important for individuals who are not fully vaccinated that they continue to wear a face covering or mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other people. People who show no symptoms of illness may still be able to spread COVID-19.
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For individuals who are not fully vaccinated, the CDC advises the following:
• Wear a face covering or mask that covers your nose and mouth.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available
• Get tested if you have been exposed to or have symptoms associated with COVID-19.
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When you wear a face covering or cloth mask, it should:
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face,
• Be secured with ties or ear loops,
• Include multiple layers of fabric,
• Allow for breathing without restriction, and
• Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
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MetroWest Medical Center