CDC: Get Your Vaccine, Hug Your Grandkids

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

CDC: Get Your Vaccine, Hug Your Grandkids

Mar 9, 2021, 08:46 AM by MSDC staff

For the first time, the CDC lays out allowances for fully vaccinated people to resume pre-2020 activities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week released new guidance on how vaccinated individuals can interact socially in a safe way.

The biggest takeaway in the media is that a vaccinated person is safe to visit a household of people and unmask if that household is one unit (i.e., no multiple families) and the family members are at low risk of COVID complications. The common example used is grandparents who are vaccinated and past the immunity window (2 weeks post final shot) are able to visit their grandchildren without wearing masks.

The CDC also noted that two sets of households where everyone is fully vaccinated may interact inside without wearing masks. The implication is that the immunity from the vaccines is strong enough that vaccinated people interacting not in public are safe to resume "normal" interactions. Also, a fully vaccinated person does not have to quarantine if they come into contact with a COVID-positive person unless the vaccinated person shows symptoms of COVID-19.

The CDC stressed that being fully vaccinated does not mean people may go without masks and social distancing while in public. In fact, the CDC still recommends the following:

Avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces
Not gathering with unvaccinated people from multiple households
Delaying travel and if you do need to travel, following CDC requirements and guidelines
Monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms
Following workplace guidance

CDC interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

Background rationale and evidence for public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.