Local doctor explains CDC mask guidance for vaccinated people

(WSIL) -- News 3 asked a local health official to break down why the also applies to vaccinated people. We also wanted to get reaction from local residents, who gave us their take on the recommendations.

The CDC announced Tuesday vaccinated people should go back to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where cases of the coronavirus are surging.

Murphysboro family physician Jeff Ripperda says even though vaccinated people are a small portion of those cases, getting everyone to mask up can help stop the spread.

"We are seeing a little bit of spread happening among vaccinated individuals. They aren't making up the vast majority by any stretch of the imagination or even the majority or even a large percentage of the people who are getting COVID. People who are vaccinated are still getting it at a high enough number that it is keeping the virus in circulation to a degree. So, I think that's where the CDC is coming from," he says.

Local residents tell News 3 wearing a mask should be a personal choice.

"I feel like there's a lot of health codes and everything going around, but I feel like you should do what feels best to you. If you feel safer with a mask then continue to wear it, if you don't want to get a vaccine, that's fine, then do whatever feels fine to you and protects others," says Marion resident Kami Dean.

"I respect everybody having an opinion and wanting to do what they want to do to feel free and to feel safe, but for me, to feel free and to feel safe, I want to continue to make my own decisions," says Royalton resident Cheryl Denosky.

Dr. Ripperda says whether you agree or not, the agency makes these decisions to protect everyone.

"I hope people remember that when the CDC is giving advice, the CDC's job is not to make sure you're comfortable, the CDC's job is not to protect businesses-the CDC's job is not to make sure that everybody can do what they want to without giving it a second thought, the CDC's job is quite simply to save lives," he says.

This new guidance follows recent decisions in Los Angeles and St. Louis, where COVID-19 spikes led to mask mandates.