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New state orders and federal protection recommendations for COVID-19 could be throwing some local residents for a loop as numbers about the spread of the virus in St. Clair County show signs of plateauing.
But health and county officials said there are both new and recurring questions that may help clear up the shifting trends and confusing mitigation guidelines.
Vaccinations and masking updates: When can we get back to normal?
Getting back to normal, officials said, is tied to how many people are getting vaccinated even if COVID numbers are much lower than the surge this spring.
On Friday, the state announced it was updating gathering and mask rules to align with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest guidance on face coverings. The federal agency announced recommendations Thursday that fully vaccinated people could participate in outdoor and indoor activities unmasked in most cases.