GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Local health leaders were popular people after the CDC announced vaccinated people can ditch their masks in most settings.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had my phone be one continuous buzz like that before,” said Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO of Prevea Health. “It was kind of interesting, everybody wanting to talk about it.”
Dr. Rai tells FOX 11 the timing of the recommendations is scientifically based and the number one priority for employers should be protecting their employees.
“You know you’re allowed to ask about vaccination status. You really can’t ask why they didn’t get it, but if they did get it you can allow unmasking within your own employment setting.”
Asking customers if they’re vaccinated likely won’t be as easy.
“Right now I’m just urging them to take a pause here, don’t react too quickly,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Public Health Director, on advice for businesses.
Gieryn tells FOX 11 state health officials are working on additional recommendations.
“Right now businesses shouldn’t feel like they can’t require masks. If they are public facing and they have customers coming in that are in close contact with their staff, there is no reason they can’t still require to have a mask in place.”
Health officials admit trying times are ahead with some people likely being asked their vaccine status. Dr. Rai says it will be a lot of work coming up with an appropriate, verifiable, and legal way of doing that.
“It might have been helpful before today to have thought through all of this, but the CDC, it goes based on science,” said Rai. “They made a scientific recommendation, now the real world has to adapt.”
The CDC is expected to come out with more guidance on the issue very soon.
