People have been required to wear masks in Disney World and at other places all around the United States for several months now.
Some might be wondering how long people will be expected to wear masks in the United States. And now we’ve got an idea of how long masks may be sticking around according to one expert.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Chief medical advisor for COVID-19 for President Biden has previously said that he believes that hopefully by the time we get to July, there will be enough vaccinates for virtually everyone. He has also shared that if about 85% of the US population is vaccinated by the end of the summer, we could be approaching a degree of normalcy in the US by the end of the fall.
Despite this, according to the New York Times, Dr. Fauci has indicated that Americans may still be wearing masks outside of their own homes a year from now. That would mean that people in the US might still need to wear face masks in 2022.
This past Sunday, Dr. Fauci appeared on the CNN program State of the Union. On that program, he spoke about the number of cases nationally that would make him feel comfortable to stop recommending universal masking. In reference to that, Dr. Fauci said “I want it to keep going down to a baseline that’s so low there is virtually no threat.”
Dr. Fauci also said “If you combine getting most of the people in the country vaccinated with getting the level of virus in the community very, very low, then I believe you’re going to be able to say, for the most part, we don’t necessarily have to wear masks.”
In terms of when vaccines could get to some school-age children, Dr. Fauci shared that he hopes high school students would be eligible for vaccination in the fall. But, Dr. Fauci said that vaccinations for younger children likely won’t be available before the beginning of the first quarter of 2022.
On the CNN program, Dr. Fauci also talked about the COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa. In clinical trials involving the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, patients who were vaccinated were not protected from mild to moderate illness caused by the South African variant. Dr. Fauci noted that the variant is still rare in the US, but if it becomes more dominant, we may need a version of the vaccinate that’s “effective specifically against” it.
President Biden has already signed an executive order requiring masks to currently be worn in airports, commercial aircraft, and other forms of public transportation. We’ve also seen that the CDC will require face masks on cruises and other transportation.
In terms of masking at Disney World, masks continue to be required, even for those who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine. Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek has indicated that masks are expected to be required in Disney World through 2021.
When it comes to 2022, Chapek noted that he doesn’t expect Disney to be at the same level of social distancing and mask-wearing then. But, of course, all of this is subject to change depending on the developing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinations.
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we see.
Kim says
I actually am looking at packages as I read this and was planning on booking a family of 9 for next year BUT I can guarantee if the mask are required I will cancel my trip!!!
Holly says
Masks in 2022 eh? I think not. People aren’t going to put up with this after everyone is vaccinated.
John says
I too was looking at a trip in 2022, but WILL NOT do so if masks are required. What good is the vaccine if you still have to wear a mask?
There is such a thing as the 80/20 rule. Typically, you spend 20 percent of your resources fixing 80 percent of the problem. After that, you spend 80 percent of your resources trying to fix 20 percent of the problem. At some point, it is no longer economically feasible to fix 100% of the problem. If you don’t get the vaccine, then wear a mask. If you have received the vaccine, they why is it necessary to wear one? Is it so those who chose to not get the vaccine don’t feel badly? Tough. It is their choice! My choice is to go maskless after my second vaccination!
Jason says
Masks are not effective, read the box, it says it will not protect wearer from any virus, nor will it prevent the spreed. I have cancled two trips to WDW now, one in 2020 and now 2021 because they are aliewing fear and politics influence their decisions, common sense tells anyone that you can not hide from a virus. I have another trip booked for June 2022 but will cancel again if they are not open 100% no mask, fast pass is back, non restricted park hopper and dinning plans return. I am a huge didney fan and go almost every year with a family of 5, so I spend alot of money, I even have hidden mickeys in my tattoos, if I have to cancel a third time I will not be going back for years, if ever. I’m tired of my family being disappointed.