Businesses excited, but apprehensive about new CDC mask guidelines

A major milestone in the recovery to the pandemic on Thursday – Washington State will reopen by June 30. The CDC also announced people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear their masks or socially distance, both outside and inside.

But it’s not easy to figure out who is vaccinated or not — and Kroger’s grocery stores like Fred Meyer and QFC are keeping their mask policies in place for now, requiring everyone in the stores to wear masks.

Dr. Dan Bustillos, a medical ethics expert and assistant professor at the University of Washington Bothell, points out how the new guidance also brings challenges.

“There are some potential problems with the easing of the restrictions. I think the science fully backs up what the new CDC guidelines are. But what the CDC guidelines may not be taking into full consideration, is human nature,” Bustillos said.

He said people who are unvaccinated may also want to take advantage of the policy and ditch the mask. He adds it would be impractical or impossible for all businesses to check vaccination documents.

“That may present some problems for the spread of the virus after today,” Bustillos said.

George Hancock, the owner of Jolly Roger Taproom in Ballard, says it can be tough balancing customer and employee safety versus guidelines that only adjusts what some people – those who are vaccinated – can do.

“It’s a difficult rope to walk. It’s like you’re going, ‘I don’t want to fall, it’s a long ways down,” said Hancock.

Hancock says safety is clearly the priority.

“Until my staff gets 100% vaccinated and everyone in the building is 100%, the masks stay on,” Hancock said.

Magnolia’s Bookstore owner Georgiana Blomberg also says her mask policy will stay in place for now.

“I am fully vaccinated but I feel like to keep other people at ease I’ll probably keep my mask on indoors for a while longer,” Blomberg said.

The new guidance caught some people off guard. Some pointed out just a couple of weeks ago, the concern was that several counties in Washington State were about to roll back to Phase 2, or even Phase 1.

“I didn’t really expect it this soon and I’m excited to take my mask off, I am fully vaccinated but I am a little nervous what other people will think of me. So I’ll wait for everyone to follow suit,” said Amy Brumbaugh, while grocery shopping in Seattle on Thursday.

Others say the new guidelines feel a little premature.

“We are still taking care of a lot of people who have COVID,” said Kayla Carter, who said she is nurse. “Just take extra precaution even if you do have the vaccine, that’s what I think,” Carter said.

People say the idea of crowded bars, nightclubs and music venues will take some getting used to again.

“I want this all behind us and not have to worry about it. June 30, I’m excited, I’m a little apprehensive,” Hancock said.

Bustillos says that’s a perfectly normal reaction after more than a year of distancing and masking habits.

“Some people will feel quite nervous engaging in those ways that we used to take for granted before the pandemic. For example — shaking people’s hands, hugging, kissing,” Bustillos said.

Cox Media Group