Unvaccinated New York Residents Now at 'Greater Risk Than Ever'

A prominent doctor believes unvaccinated New Yorkers are now at a "greater risk than ever."

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Last Thursday, the CDC announced fully vaccinated Americans can ditch masks in most indoor and outdoor settings. People who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in most circumstances, indoors or outdoors, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Stay Informed: CDC Website About Coronavirus

On Monday, Gov. Cuomo announced starting Wednesday New York State is adopting the CDC's guidance on masks and social distancing.

New Yorkers who are fully vaccinated were very excited for the news that they can finally unmask. Many unvaccinated New Yorkers took to social media to announce they plan to pretend they are vaccinated in order to unmask.

Doctors warn this is not a good idea.

"Here's the deal. If you're unvaccinated now and you're not wearing a mask, you are at greater risk than you've ever been because you now just increase the pool dramatically of getting exposed," Dr. Brian McDonough said on WFAN.

McDonough has appeared on sports talk radio in New York all pandemic, trying to keep Empire State residents informed. He's now very worried for unvaccinated New Yorkers who plan to ditch their masks.

For all the news that the Hudson Valley is sharing make sure to follow Hudson Valley Post on Facebook, download the Hudson Valley Post Mobile App and sign up for the Hudson Valley Post Newsletter.

"I think what people don't realize, if you haven't gotten the vaccine at this point, you're no different than somebody who was exposed a year ago. In other words, you have no added protection. So what we may start seeing is an increased number of cases in the unvaccinated people and again, the serious illnesses," McDonough added.

McDonough encouraged all eligible New Yorkers to protect themselves from the virus by getting the vaccine.

"The biggest thing that is making the difference right now is the vaccine. I saw the numbers change. The more people get vaccinated the better chance of getting out of this," McDonough said.

Keep Reading:

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.