The latestThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new recommendations, which say that vaccinated people by and large don't have to wear masks, took the country by surprise. Medical professionals were caught off guard, as were members of the Biden administration, elected officials and business leaders. Here's how swiftly the CDC advanced those mask recommendations: Director Rochelle Walensky approved an update to mask guidance last Monday. The president was briefed Thursday morning. The guidance became public later that day. Americans are processing how this change affects their work and habits. Baristas, restaurateurs and other workers responded with emotions as diverse as worry and relief in interviews with Post reporters. Confusion was a common refrain, too. “It’s been like that from the beginning,” said a chef in Minneapolis. “One minute it’s this, the next minute it’s that. … You get tons of conflicting messages, and then all of the sudden one day without notice, no more mask.” Without a systematic way to discern who is vaccinated and who is not, the honor system is fundamental to these recommendations. As top federal infectious-disease expert Anthony S. Fauci told CNN last week, “You’re going to be depending on people being honest enough to say whether they are vaccinated or not." But, reporter Marisa Iati notes, Americans don't always have faith in their fellows to do what's right. Marking a shift in how far U.S. vaccine campaigns have come since the winter, the CDC advises vaccination at every opportunity, even if it means risking additional doses in a vial will go unused. In the D.C. region, supply exceeded demand about two weeks ago. Now, in Maryland, Virginia and D.C., public health officials are encouraging primary-care doctors not to worry about waste in the pursuit of immunizations. Sixty percent of Americans have had at least one dose, President Biden said Monday. That's in stark contrast to the population around the globe. To increase the world supply, Biden announced the United States will distribute at least 80 million doses of vaccines abroad over the next six weeks, which would make the U.S. the world leader in sharing vaccines. Of the many countries where need for vaccines is great, India stands out. Thousands are dying of covid-19 there each day. Meanwhile, over the past six weeks, the rate of vaccination in India has halved from 4.2 million doses daily to 2 million. For a country with a record of large vaccine drives, this is a major stumble at a critical time. Other important newsSome customers have discovered Internet providers, such as Verizon, are using a new federal benefit – meant to lower bills – as an opportunity to sell more expensive plans. The pandemic kept these Americans out of the driver's seat for more than a year. Neurologists and memory researchers say a little rustiness behind the wheel is to be expected. Residents in Taiwan are stockpiling food and other staples as coronavirus restrictions tighten in and around Taipei. Walmart is dropping its masks-required policy, allowing vaccinated people to work or shop barefaced where local and state rules allow. Have questions about when to wear masks now? On Tuesday at 2 p.m. EST, Dr. Leana Wen will take your questions live. | 
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