The CDC's new guidance that vaccinated people need to wear masks again is based on a busy two week period in the summer hotspot of Provincetown on Cape Cod, where thousands flock every summer and pack out bars, restaurants and clubs.
The CDC changed its position suddenly last week, instructing people to wear masks indoors again regardless of vaccine status because of the numbers of people who tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting Provincetown between July 3 and July 17 - some of the busiest weeks in the summer.
There were 882 confirmed cases of people 'associated to the cluster, as of July 29.
Only 220 of those are people who live in Provincetown; 311 live elsewhere in Massachusetts, and 351 were from other states. Eighty-seven percent of those who tested positive were men with a median age of 40 and 74 percent of the total number were people who had been fully vaccinated.
The CDC is most concerned about 469 fully-vaccinated Massachusetts residents who are among the cluster.
It says the numbers show that the virus can be transmitted among vaccinated people - something scientists have never hidden.
After the outbreak was reported locally, bars, restaurants and stores in some Cape Cod towns like Provincetown brought back mask mandates out of an abundance of caution. Now, the numbers have gone down again.
But there's no telling if that is down to people waring masks or if it's because there aren't as many people in the area anymore, especially gathering together.
Provincetown, Massachusetts, on July 20. The seaside town on the tip of Cape Cod attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year and 2021 was no different. But the CDC is using it as reason to recommend a mask mandate across the entire country because some 400 people who went to the small town got COVID, even though they are vaccinated. Only 5 of them were hospitalized and none died
Provincetown is known for its party scene and the seaside resort's population increases by tenfold every summer because of it. Some say it's not a fair representative of the country because people are far more likely to cram into crowded bars and restaurants to party over the two busiest summer weeks in Provincetown than they are in general life elsewhere. Above, the Boat Slip Resort on July 16th
