The informal survey included responses from 723 epidemiologists from across the U.S. to gauge how they were approaching daily activities in the post-vaccination phase of the pandemic. Their responses show a cautiously optimistic outlook on the trajectory of the virus, with only a few places and activities they largely consider to be dangerous. “Vaccines have given me freedom,” Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, who leads the epidemiology division at the University of Minnesota, told The Times. “I was very strict all year but am now returning, slowly, to life.” Expectedly, the idea of completely forgoing safety measures was far from acceptable to most of the survey’s respondents as the virus continues to circulate. According to Jana Mossey, PhD, an epidemiologist who retired from Drexel University: “There is a strong likelihood that we will experience unexpected problems due to moving about as if the COVID pandemic was no longer a threat.” Others pointed out that the same simple rules still apply for some areas of public life, especially for the sake of protecting those who haven’t received their shots yet. “Think of always ensuring two of three: masks, distancing, outdoors, particularly if among non-vaccinated individuals,” Eyal Oren, PhD, an epidemiologist at San Diego State University, told The Times. Another virus expert put his risk assessment in perspective. “I live in Hawaii and free-dive with sharks,” explained F. DeWolfe Miller, PhD, an epidemiologist at the University of Hawaii. “Preventing COVID transmission is another matter.” Read on to see which places and activities the vast majority of virus experts are still avoiding right now, according to a survey conducted by The New York Times. We’ve ranked them from the things most of the experts would do to the things they largely do not consider safe. RELATED: The Riskiest Things You’re Doing After You’re Vaccinated, CDC Says. Percent who would do it: 92 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 8 percent Percent who would do it: 83 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 17 percent RELATED: The 2 Places Dr. Fauci Still Won’t Go After Vaccination. Percent who would do it: 74 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 26 percent Percent who would do it: 63 percentae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Percent who wouldn’t: 37 percent Percent who would do it: 53 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 47 percent Percent who would do it: 45 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 55 percent RELATED: The CDC Says These Are the “Least Safe” Places You’re Going Right Now. Percent who would do it: 43 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 57 percent Percent who would do it: 39 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 61 percent RELATED: The CDC Says to “Avoid” Going Here, Even If You’re Vaccinated. Percent who would do it: 35 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 65 percent Percent who would do it: 32 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 68 percent Percent who would do it: 30 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 70 percent RELATED: The CDC Says If You See This at a Restaurant, Don’t Go Inside. Percent who would do it: 25 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 75 percent Percent who would do it: 24 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 76 percent Percent who would do it: 20 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 80 percent Percent who would do it: 15 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 85 percent RELATED: Dr. Fauci Says “Herd Immunity” Is No Longer the Goal With COVID—This Is. Percent who would do it: 10 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 90 percent Percent who would do it: 9 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 91 percent Percent who would do it: 8 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 92 percent Percent who would do it: 6 percent Percent who wouldn’t: 94 percent RELATED: America Will “Feel Close to Normal” by This Exact Date, COVID Expert Says.
