Just a short while ago, in its beneficence and benevolence, CDC has changed its limits on how it thinks Americans should live their lives. They are now allowing vaccinated people to be OUTSIDE without wearing a face mask.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its public health guidance Tuesday, saying fully vaccinated people can exercise and attend small gatherings outdoors without wearing a face mask.

People two weeks removed from their last vaccine can exercise alone or with other household members outside without a face covering, the CDC said. They can also meet outdoors with a small group of other fully vaccinated people, or a mixture of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the agency added. The guidance did not say what counts as a small gathering.

Dining unmasked at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households is also acceptable, according to the CDC.

The agency still recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask at outdoor spaces where the risk of Covid-19 is less clear. Those include sporting events, concerts, parades and other crowded places.

“In public spaces, the vaccination status of other people or whether they are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown,” the CDC wrote in its guidance. “Therefore, fully vaccinated people should continue to follow guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a well-fitted mask, when indoors or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required.”

“CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community, so it is important to consider your own personal situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out without a mask,” the agency added.

This is the official graphic showing what activities are permissible for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

When choosing safer activities, consider how #COVID19 is spreading in your community, the number of people participating in the activity, and the location of the activity. https://t.co/s5kXwg65fB pic.twitter.com/TZhssyVGKB

— CDC (@CDCgov) April 27, 2021

People fully vaccinated against #COVID19 can participate in some indoor events safely, without much risk. Outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities. https://t.co/s5kXwg65fB pic.twitter.com/ZVDpCaQAIO

— CDC (@CDCgov) April 27, 2021

So all you mopes who are wearing masks when cycling or jogging or driving alone, you can stop being stupid now, though I will miss not having you to laugh at.

Even by the standards set by the CDC, this is pretty dumb and, from a business or policy level, useless as it is based on voluntary compliance with an over-the-top, abusive, and anti-science regulation. This recommendation sets up a situation that has one of two outcomes. Either all the “SAFEST” options for unvaccinated people become maskless for everyone, or some form of domestic vaccine “passport” appears.

As Winston Churchill said, “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” We can only hope.