STUDENTS and teachers who are fully vaccinated need not wear masks to school, the CDC now says (Shutterstock).

School starts in August for many students and teachers, and as long as they have a shot in the arm, they can leave the mask off their faces.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines on COVID-19 that say vaccinated teachers and students don’t need to wear a face-covering, according to the Associated Press.

“We’re at a new point in the pandemic that we’re really excited about,” said Erin Sauber-Schatz of the CDC, and therefore time to relax some restrictions.

But how to navigate that when schools reopen this late summer and fall? Will some pupils and instructors wear masks and some not?  Additionally, the CDC wants social distancing – three feet between students and their desks – except for fully vaccinated students and staff.

The question of how to determine or prove that a person is vaccinated is also unanswered.

“The guidance is really written to allow flexibility at the local level,” Sauber-Schatz said.

Death toll now at 78 in condo collapse

THE SURFSIDE CONDO collapse (Miami Dade Fire and Rescue).

On the 16th day of rescue and recovery work at site of the Florida condominium building collapse, more bodies have been found, bringing the death total to 78 today (Friday).

According to the Associated Press, workers have been laboring in two 12-hour shifts – 24 hours a day – first in rescue attempts but now to recover bodies. The complex in Surfside near Miami collapsed on June 24.

Dozens more are still missing, but it’s not believed that anyone else has survived the tragedy.

Haiti asks assistance of U.S. forces

JOVENAL MOISE

Facing increasing turmoil in the wake of the assassination of President Jovenel Maise on Wednesday, the Haitian government has asked for American military forces to come to the island nation to protect the port, airport, gasoline supplies and other key infrastructure.

According to The New York Times, political turmoil, gang violence and the unchecked coronavirus pandemic are pushing the nation to the edge of chaos. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that FBI and Homeland Security officials would travel to Haiti “as soon as possible” to assess the situation.

Halos, Dodgers can climb up a rung

Both the Dodgers and the Angels start the weekend within reach of a goal.

The Dodgers (54-34), after beating the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Thursday, are just one game behind the first place San Francisco Giants (54-32) in the National League West. LAD got a boost from starting pitcher Julio Urias, who won his 11th game as he worked seven innings and yielded just five hits and one run.

The Angels (44-42) were idle Thursday, but are only one game behind the Seattle Mariners (46-42) and start a series in Seattle (46-42) on Friday that runs through Sunday. At stake? Third place in the AL West.

The Dodgers are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday through Sunday at Chavez Ravine.

The Phoenix Suns took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Final Thursday when they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 118-106. Game Three is scheduled for Sunday in Milwaukee.