[ad_1]
Austin Public Health on Thursday released its Level 5 guidelines for residents at highest risk for severe coronavirus symptoms, which includes those with existing medical problems. The American-Statesman has compiled a list of some of your most frequently asked questions with answers from Austin Public Health and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
I am fully vaccinated, what do the level 5 restrictions mean to me?
Those who are vaccinated and are at high risk of severe symptoms should still:
- Avoid all private indoor and outdoor gatherings.
- Travel only when absolutely necessary.
- Only eat in restaurants with outdoor seating.
- Use curb or delivery for shopping.
Vaccinated and non-vulnerable people should:
- Take precautions such as masking and social distancing when collecting, traveling, shopping, and eating.
I am not fully vaccinated so what should I do?
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people should:
- Stay home and avoid all travel and gatherings.
- Take advantage of the curb and delivery options to avoid going out in public.
- Wear a mask when going to important services such as seeing a doctor.
Can Texan companies enforce mask mandates?
Yes. Local businesses under Governor Greg Abbott’s latest executive order have the right to require you to wear a mask. However, it is up to each company to decide whether to introduce a mask policy.
Austin Public Health recommends business owners revert to their previous mask guidelines and use curb and delivery options as much as possible.
Are children now at higher risk for COVID?
Dr. Austin-Travis County’s health department Desmar Walkes said Thursday that health officials are seeing an increase in pediatric coronavirus infections across the Austin area, particularly among children under 12 who are not currently eligible for a vaccine.
Walkes said these children are now infecting adults as well, a trend that was not common with previous coronavirus spikes.
It is recommended that parents get the coronavirus vaccine to better protect young children from serious illnesses.
Should my young children wear masks in public?
The CDC says children ages 2 and up should wear masks in indoor public spaces.
A child younger than 2 years old or unable to wear a mask for any other reason should be excluded from visiting non-vaccinated people. They should also stay at least 6 feet away from others in public.
It is recommended that children aged 12 and over get vaccinated against the coronavirus. All children aged 12 and over should also wear masks in public.
More:What should parents do to protect their children from the COVID-19 delta variant?
Can fully vaccinated people be infected with the COVID delta variant?
Current data suggests that US-approved COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against most variants of COVID-19. However, variants will cause some breakthrough vaccine cases, according to the CDC.
Local health leaders say those who become infected with the Delta variant but are also fully vaccinated are likely to have a milder case of illness that won’t result in hospitalization or death.
Walkes said the vast majority of people currently hospitalized are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. These people suffer more severe illnesses than in previous waves and have to stay in hospital for longer periods of time.
How many cases of the COVID delta variant are there in Travis County?
Travis County confirmed at least 29 cases of the Delta variant as of Tuesday.
Walkes said the Delta variant is likely the predominant strain of COVID-19 in the Austin area, but the lack of state and local testing for the variant makes it impossible to know how many cases there are truly local.
Do I need a COVID booster vaccination if I am fully vaccinated?
Austin Public Health said Thursday there was no information yet on when the CDC might recommend booster vaccines for the coronavirus vaccine, especially for those who have weakened immune systems
However, Austin public health officials said they were ready and able to give booster shots to those who might need them.
Is COVID Vaccination Safe for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Mothers?
Dr. Jessica Ehrig, chief of maternal fetal medicine / obstetrics and director of maternal medicine and transportation at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, urged pregnant and breastfeeding women to get vaccinated and said the vaccines currently available are safe.
“Unlike the original COVID we saw 18 months ago, this new Delta variant affects our pregnant mothers more,” she said. “We are seeing that mothers who are currently infected with COVID, especially the Delta because it is the predominant variant, are more likely to be hospitalized.”
Is it true that Austin Public Health uses gift cards to get vaccinated?
Yes. Austin Public Health is giving away $ 25 HEB gift cards to anyone who receives a coronavirus vaccination at the agency’s free clinics.
When you get your first and second syringes through Austin Public Health, you can make a total of $ 50 to shop at HEB.
I’m ready to get vaccinated, where is a walk-in COVID vaccine near me?
This weekend, Austin Public Health will be vaccinating:
• Southeast branch library (Moderna vaccine)
Where: 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Little Walnut Creek Branch Library (Moderna)
Where: 835 West Rundberg Lane
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Ana Lark Center (Pfizer vaccine)
Where: 1400 Tillery St.
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Church of Reconciliation (Pfizer)
Where: 7000 Cameron Road
When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• South Austin Congregational Church (Pfizer)
Where: 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue.
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Turner Roberts Rec Center (Pfizer)
Where: 7201 Colony Loop Drive
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Del Valle Opportunity Center (Pfizer)
Where: 5301 B Ross Road, Del Valle
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
[ad_2]
