In an email this morning to Southwestern employees, Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, outlined new guidance from the CDC and talked about how these updates will be implemented on campus.
Dr. Barb Crittenden's May 17, 2021, email to employees:
The guidance on COVID-19 has been updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those fully vaccinated can resume most activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. Please see this guidance (updated May 16, 2021) at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
As noted in the updated CDC guidance, people are considered to be fully vaccinated:
• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
Based on this new guidance, effective today, face coverings are optional for anyone fully vaccinated. As noted, the CDC is still recommending that fully vaccinated people watch for symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and consult with their health care provider regarding testing.
In closing, I want to thank all of you for persevering through the restrictions and guidelines related to the pandemic. Together we have been able to continue our important work on behalf of the students and communities we serve. Please stay tuned, it is still a fluid situation and guidance may change again.