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Is it time to stop wearing masks outdoors?

As more people receive their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, there are questions as to whether masks should be necessary outdoors.

CLEVELAND — Editor's note: The above video is from a previously published story

After wearing masks for more than a year during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, debate is picking up as to whether or not face coverings are necessary outdoors.

80 million Americans have received at least one COVID vaccine shot, roughly about a quarter of the population. 

During his coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Gov. Mike DeWine stated that more than 4.4 million Ohioans -- or 38 percent of the state's population -- have received at least their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Although cases have plateaued, virus variants are more contagious among those who have not been vaccinated.

"Just because the numbers are getting better and more people are getting vaccinated, the virus is now more dangerous than it was a few months ago for those who haven't been vaccinated," said DeWine.

Ohio's mask order applies to people age 10 and older when in public indoor spaces and outdoors when unable to maintain 6-foot social distancing. Masks are also required outdoors (and indoors) in 25 other states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people wear masks in public settings, at events and gatherings and "anywhere they will be around other people." 

If you are fully vaccinated and get together with a group of other fully vaccinated people, the CDC says you should be fine without a mask, but it is still recommended to wear one inside when visiting people at a high risk or if you're at a medium and large-sized gathering.

Click here for more CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people.

Is it time for Ohio to end the outdoor mask mandate? Let us know what you think in our Facebook comments section. 

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You can watch Gov. Mike DeWine's Wednesday briefing below:

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