Updated Mask Guidance from CDC

[bamaone]

44 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

But it still begs the question who has had the vaccine and who has not.  Without some record or required physican's note, who's going to know.  My word versus your sneezing.

Doesn’t matter. The CDC pretty much said so. If you don’t get vaccinated it’s on you. Those that are vaccinated don’t have to worry about getting the virus. Everybody is responsible for themselves. If someone on a cruise gets it they can be isolated to their room. 

Edited May 13, 2021 by bamaone

[TNcruising02]

30 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

The real questions is if they are going to enforce vaccine card checks. I can't imagine most businesses checking. Biden seemed to have hint that this will not be enforced.

I can see only the strictest of states asking for proof of vaccination.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, dallasdan said:

I think there was a large percentage of the ones that haven't been vaccinated yet, that didn't see the point of the vaccine if all the restrictions were still in place.  I think we will see an increase in vaccinations now.

I do agree that this may have been one of the factors in their decision making.

[ober134]

4 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

 

Well, the CDC supposedly still requires masks for flying on an airplane.

 

"There are a handful of instances where people will still need to wear masks — in a health-care setting, at a business that requires them or on an airplane — even if they’ve had their final vaccine dose two or more weeks ago, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters at a press briefing."

 

My bold.  I honestly can't think why they left that condition there.  If sitting side-by-side with a mask on was supposedly safe with no vaccine, surely with the vaccine the masks can completely go away.

 

So let's see if they update guidance for cruising.  I need to find the original CDC doc/press release, if available.

I'm fully vaccinated. I will wear a mask voluntarily in the near future when flying. I've sat beside ppl hacking and coughing in the past PC ( pre covid) and it was disgusting. Why chance it.... Its so little to protect self and loved ones

 

 

 

[joeyancho]

3 hours ago, HaveWeMetYet said:

They have known the science all along.

They have been guided by teacher unions not science has been the problem.

That's where the donations and votes come from. 

[jean87510]

2 hours ago, bamaone said:

Doesn’t matter. The CDC pretty much said so. If you don’t get vaccinated it’s on you. Those that are vaccinated don’t have to worry about getting the virus. Everybody is responsible for themselves. If someone on a cruise gets it they can be isolated to their room. 

which is how it should be.  I have been saying this for months.

[Floriduh]

So, if you add these new rules together, we have thee 98%/95% rule, the shore excursions, the dining all figured out. Is there anything I am missing to start cruising immediately?

[hurricane0226]

4 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Spot on.  Perhaps they're indeed moving from 'follow the séance' to their 'follow the science' stuff afterall?

good call

[hurricane0226]

31 minutes ago, joeyancho said:

That's where the donations and votes come from. 

true

[cruisingguy007]

3 hours ago, Caps_Shield said:

I would hold off before I start to pack for a mask-less cruise..  It was specific to point out that business can require it and transportation is a must.  Cruises can fall under both those headings.  A cruise is so different than going to Aunt Janet's for a BBQ.  There are thousands of people in close quarters.  I'm just saying I would wait for specific direction on cruising before I celebrate.   Again, the CDC still can dictate the ports of call for re-entry into the US.

 

Already happening. I went to get my teen kids vaccinated this afternoon and stopped by a store afterwards and the cashier was complaining about customers coming in without masks already. I live in a purple area that leans right and I already know it's going to be a struggle for the businesses to get compliance on masks. It'll be how it was at the beginning, lots of folks challenging the rules and others flat out refusing to cooperate and daring anyone to challenge them. Should be a interesting few weeks to come. I suspect we'll see some national news stories by this weekend. Hopefully, by the time cruising starts, all the mask drama will be behind us. I couldn't imagine the stress the poor crew would be under trying to manage all the craziness.  

[Joe817]

"CDC: Fully vaccinated people can ditch masks indoors - most of the time"

 

"WASHINGTON -- In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.

"Today is a great day for America," President Joe Biden said during a Rose Garden address heralding the new guidance, an event where he and his staff went without masks. Hours earlier in the Oval Office, where Biden was meeting with vaccinated Republican lawmakers, he led the group in removing their masks when the guidance was announced."

 

https://abc7news.com/health/biden-talks-covid-response-after-new-cdc-mask-guidance-|-live/10626758/

 

All I can say is....it's about time!  Finally!! 

[HenanSan]

3 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

A little common sense goes a long way.  If the vaccines work, then masks shouldn't be required for people who are vaccinated.  If I can lounge by the pool on a cruise ship without wearing a mask, see a theater show without a mask, and enjoy a meal without a mask, then I don't have a huge issue with wearing a stupid mask going to and from places.   I think no masks should be required inside or out on vaccinated cruises though.

 

The risk of catching the virus on a vaccinated-only cruise where everyone was tested before boarding comes nowhere near the risk of catching the virus with untested and unvaccinated people traveling on a plane or even at an amusement park.  

It's good to see the CDC finally coming around to common sense.

 But how will you know that people have been vaccinated?  Their word of honor? people have boarded a ship sick claiming they are OK.  IF vaccination are to be required to cruise then PROOF of vaccination needs to be provided.  THAT is the issue.  How can you (or should you) prove you have been vaccinated prior to boarding??  

[pc_load_letter]

30 minutes ago, Floriduh said:

So, if you add these new rules together, we have thee 98%/95% rule, the shore excursions, the dining all figured out. Is there anything I am missing to start cruising immediately?

 

Not CDC rule related specifically but I am interested in knowing....

 

Social distancing on open decks? Do I need to sit six feet apart from my wife when enjoying the sun on the Lido deck?

 

Reservations? Do I need to make a reseveration for the gym or to use the sauna?

[Bgcruising]

3 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

I think the only way is for cruise lines who want these relaxed mask rules to have vaccinated-only cruises where people need to show their vaccination card and sign a form attesting to the accuracy of the the vaccine information.  If they let children under 12 cruise, then I guess those kids will sadly have to wear masks.

 

Next post we see on here is how to cheat err.... loophole the vaccination requirement with a fake card. 

 

And kids following the rules on a cruise ship? Yes, absolutely. I am sure they will all wear their masks if required of them, just like the adults would. 

[jperry2011]

The masks haven't done much to reduce the spread of covid anyways. I  rarely wore one and never got it. Soon enough more people will realize it's all a game at this point and things will be back to normal.

[mondello]

36 minutes ago, Floriduh said:

So, if you add these new rules together, we have thee 98%/95% rule, the shore excursions, the dining all figured out. Is there anything I am missing to start cruising immediately?

Dang, now there ain't any gas for people to drive to the ports.

 

[Joe817]

3 minutes ago, HenanSan said:

 But how will you know that people have been vaccinated?  Their word of honor? people have boarded a ship sick claiming they are OK.  IF vaccination are to be required to cruise then PROOF of vaccination needs to be provided.  THAT is the issue.  How can you (or should you) prove you have been vaccinated prior to boarding??  

1.) That is an issue that I'm quite sure Carnival will address. I have no problem with that.

 

2. ) As we are fully vaccinated, and I have NO problem with showing the embarkation staff my/our vaccination card. 

 

Let the cruising begin! 👍

[TNcruising02]

5 minutes ago, Bgcruising said:

 

Next post we see on here is how to cheat err.... loophole the vaccination requirement with a fake card. 

 

And kids following the rules on a cruise ship? Yes, absolutely. I am sure they will all wear their masks if required of them, just like the adults would. 

Well, if they have to produce their vaccination card and sign a form under penalty of perjury, then it would be a crime to falsify the information and they could be held criminally responsible.  Just because people break laws doesn't mean those who don't should never get to do anything.  It's not my problem if people cheat and lie.  It's their problem.  Maybe if they are caught lying they can be banned for life from cruising on the line.

As far as children not choosing to wear masks, pretty much all of the kids over 3 who have attended school have worn masks for a year.  If the cruise lines think it can't be enforced, they can eliminate the 12 and under on the vaccinated cruises.  I think the cruise lines should have vaccinated and unvaccinated.  Then the unvaccinated can go on their own cruise with whatever requirements the CDC thinks of at the moment.  The rest of us can take off our masks on the ships.

[cruisingguy007]

6 minutes ago, HenanSan said:

 But how will you know that people have been vaccinated?  Their word of honor? people have boarded a ship sick claiming they are OK.  IF vaccination are to be required to cruise then PROOF of vaccination needs to be provided.  THAT is the issue.  How can you (or should you) prove you have been vaccinated prior to boarding??  

 

You won't. Newton's law, as the vaccinated become more free, so too do the unvaccinated. Interestingly, the vaccine cards I got for my kids are completely different than the one I got. Like completely different card size, stickers, and thickness. Makes me wonder just how many different types they used nationally. It'll be all but impossible to to verify who is and isn't vaccinated. If large spikes of unvaccinated end up getting sick/hospitalized it may be a wake up call to the vaccine hesitant and motivate folks to get protected.        

[naxer]

21 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

the vaccine cards I got for my kids are completely different than the one I got. Like completely different card size, stickers, and thickness. Makes me wonder just how many different types they used nationally.   

I have two cards myself, long story.  But they're completely different, different colors, one looks like it was off the copier and the cut crooked, and neither are completely filled out.  There can be nothing "official" about the card itself.  Will it be like the paper you sign promising that you're not sick when you get on?    

[TNcruising02]

6 minutes ago, naxer said:

I have two cards myself, long story.  But they're completely different, different colors, one looks like it was off the copier and the cut crooked, and neither are completely filled out.  There can be nothing "official" about the card itself.  Will it be like the paper you sign promising that you're not sick when you get on?    

If there is a paper to be signed, it should include "under penalty of perjury" so that the cruise line can prosecute someone if they develop a severe case and lied about their vaccination status.  Then they can be held criminally liable.  Insurance companies have had people sign forms like that when enrolling.

[cruisingguy007]

6 minutes ago, naxer said:

I have two cards myself, long story.  But they're completely different, different colors, one looks like it was off the copier and the cut crooked, and neither are completely filled out.  There can be nothing "official" about the card itself.  Will it be like the paper you sign promising that you're not sick when you get on?    

 

Yeah, not sure what they were thinking. They should have come up with a better scheme for these cards. Maybe they figured everyone would want a vaccine and it wouldn't be a issue. I still don't think it will be a big issue. Most folks want the protection. Especially, on crowded ships and crowded ports. It's a great insurance policy.  

[bamaone]

14 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

If there is a paper to be signed, it should include "under penalty of perjury" so that the cruise line can prosecute someone if they develop a severe case and lied about their vaccination status.  Then they can be held criminally liable.  Insurance companies have had people sign forms like that when enrolling.

Why does anybody care if someone is not vaccinated? It has nothing to do with those that are vaccinated. If you’re vaccinated you’re good. You’re safe. You’re protected. You won’t get sick and die. Those who choose not to get vaccinated know the possible consequences and accept those consequences. It should not even be a discussion. It won’t affect anyone else’s  vacation in any way. This thing is ending. Let’s complain chair hogs. 

Edited May 14, 2021 by bamaone

[TNcruising02]

4 minutes ago, bamaone said:

Why does anybody care if someone is not vaccinated? It has nothing to do with those that are vaccinated. If you’re vaccinated you’re good. You’re safe. You’re protected. You won’t get sick and die. Those who choose not to get vaccinated know the possible consequences and accept those consequences. It should not even be a discussion. It won’t affect anyone else’s  vacation in any way. This thing is ending. Let’s complain chair hogs. 

I actually don't care.  I live in a state that wasn't strictly locked down and have never worn a mask outside.  I think those who want to get the vaccine should get it and those who don't shouldn't.  The CDC is unreasonable when it comes to restrictions on cruise lines.  

Since I am vaccinated, I am glad that I won't have to wear a mask on the pool deck or while drinking a beverage or eating a meal.  I think it should be that way for everyone, but as of now it's not.  I am sorry that the CDC is unreasonable, but I can't do anything about it.  All I can do is hope that if my cruise sails in August, I won't have to wear the stupid mask.

Edited May 14, 2021 by TNcruising02

[IntrepidFromDC]

5 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

A little common sense goes a long way.  If the vaccines work, then masks shouldn't be required for people who are vaccinated.  

I'm vaccinated and I hate wearing a mask.  If I have to wear a mask in the casino on a cruise ship I'll be pissed (ok, even more pissed than I already will be for donating to Carnival's balance sheet rescue)...  But I think common sense is to see it as the vaccine stops me from getting deathly sick if I contract the virus, but the mask prevents me from transmitting the virus if I have it to someone who might be cruising with or going home to someone high-risk.  Vaccination protects me.  Me wearing a mask protects others.