HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Alabama mask mandate is over and right now almost every county is in the low risk category for the number of COVID cases.
But will it stay that way? Our WZDX News reporter got some insight from a local doctor.
"We know that the predominate strain now is the B.1.1.7 that is a little bit more contagious. There's worries that it's more dangerous and so with that and the mask mandate being lifted I think that it is concerning," says Thrive Alabama Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Neha Shah.
Virtually all of Alabama but two counties, Monroe and Bullock counties, are at a low risk category for coronavirus according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Shah says even with vaccinations there is still a risk. "We're not quite at the high enough percentage of vaccinations to be able to say that we are able to lift the masks," she says.
Dr. Shah also says the vaccine does protect you from getting sick from the virus, but we're still learning about whether or not you can still infect others.
"The efficacy is aiming, the reason for getting vaccinated is aimed at decreasing severe disease and death from the disease for the vaccine recipient themselves. Bonus if we can decrease transmission," she says.
The CDC recommends fully vaccinated people can gather with other vaccinated people, or someone from another household without a mask.
However, until more is known, Shah says people should mask up.
"We know that masks works, and so really relying on each individual to say what is my risk of giving this to somebody else, and what is their risk of having severe illness and wearing a mask if you know that there's a higher risk of you passing on the illness to somebody else," says Shah.
The Alabama Department of Public Health also states:
"The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is pleased that the risk indicator dashboard continues to improve. In order to control this pandemic, it is vital to follow all mitigation standards, including mask use, while we work to vaccinate all age eligible Alabamians against."
[WEB EXTRA: Harvest Pediatrician Dr. Shraddah Shrestha weighs in on mask mandate expiration]
