US Nurses Union Says Relaxing Mask Mandates for Vaccinated Individuals Is Unscientific

At the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners in Seattle, Washington, USA, on the 14th (local time), spectators without masks for COVID-19 prevention are enjoying the baseball game between the Mariners and the Cleveland Indians. The team has designated a special section in the stands where fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks or practice social distancing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased mask-wearing requirements for citizens who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations, but the largest nurses' union in the U.S. stated that this decision is "not based on science."

According to the American media outlet The Hill, the National Nurses United (NNU), which has 170,000 nurse members, issued a statement on the 15th (local time) saying, "The CDC's new guidelines do not protect public health," and added, "They threaten the lives of patients, nurses, and frontline workers nationwide."

NNU emphasized, "Now is not the time to relax prevention guidelines," and stated, "We are still in the midst of the most severe pandemic in 100 years. We are outraged that the CDC issued such recommendations during this time."

They further said, "Poor prevention measures could put nurses and other essential workers at risk."

On the 13th, the CDC announced guidelines stating that people who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations generally do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing in most outdoor or indoor settings.

Following this, major companies such as the coffee chain Starbucks, theme park Walt Disney World, Walmart, and Trader Joe's have allowed vaccinated individuals to visit without wearing masks in accordance with the CDC guidelines.