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Public Safety

San Diegans Wrestle With Face-Mask Rules Amid Updated CDC Guidance

Tiffany Nguyễn is pictured working at Highland Nails in National City on May 14, 2021.
Alexandra Rangel
Tiffany Nguyễn is pictured working at Highland Nails in National City on May 14, 2021.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said fully vaccinated people can ditch the mask and resume all indoor and outdoor activities. They also say social distancing isn’t needed for the fully vaccinated.

The new guidance conflicts with California's state mandate, just this week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the masking mandate would remain in place until June 15.

San Diegans Wrestle With Face-Mask Rules Amid Updated CDC Guidance
Listen to this story by Alexandra Rangel.

The California Department of Public Health said they’re reviewing the CDC’s recommendations but the state’s mandate takes precedence.

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MASK RULES

And while some people can’t wait to get rid of their mask collection, Isamara Duran said she’s masking up regardless.

“I think it’s too soon. I think they still need to wear the mask. Even though you have the vaccine you still need to wear the mask because you can get the coronavirus still,” Duran said.

Tiffany Nguyễn, a nail technician at Highland Nails in National City, said her nail salon isn’t relaxing safety protocols anytime soon.

“We need everyone to wear a mask and we wear a mask too. We have the cover here to protect both of us,” Nguyễn said.

She said no mask, no service.

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“I have the vaccine already, but I don't know about the customer. Not everyone has the vaccine.”

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.