I was able to schedule a first dose of the COVID vaccine a week from tomorrow. A neighbor told me the protocols had changed here in California now including those over 65 along with healthcare and other frontline workers. Neither my wife who had qualified before when the age limit was 75 and over nor my 10 years younger brother who is a frontline worker have yet received either the vaccine or an appointment. The disjointed way these protocols have been implemented is one issue but what I’d like to know is what precautions those of us who get vaccinated early on need to take to protect those still waiting. My understanding is that even after being vaccinated one can still pick up and transmit the disease to others. So I assume masking and social distancing will remain important until many more receive it. Apparently picking it up from surfaces is not as big a concern as before.
I haven’t found clear guidance regarding at what point we can assume we’re back to the old normal and can let up on precautions. Has anyone heard anything definitive or have an informed opinion about that?