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Explainer: What is the science behind the new U.S. mask guidance?

People walk without protective masks in Times Square amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., May 4, 2021. [Reuters]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday advised that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors and can avoid wearing them indoors in most places, updated guidance the agency said will allow life to begin to return to normal. read more

The following lays out some of recent scientific evidence on which the CDC and Director Rochelle Walensky based their updated guidelines, including vaccine efficacy against virus variants, increased availability and a reduction in cases:

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