The COVID-19 pandemic is unleashing a unique situation. There’s good news for a change and some of us don’t know how to handle it.

I find myself among a group of Americans grappling with mixed emotions. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask guideline changes for fully vaccinated people. The CDC now considers it safe for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to go mask-less in most settings. The CDC considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after getting Johnson & Johnson’s one dose vaccine. Or two weeks after getting the second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

Some are flat out giddy about the CDC’s change in tone. Viewing it as a sign of hope that were approaching post-pandemic times. The Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati’s front office personnel seem to be among that group. Both teams are planning to effectively scrap capacity limits they’ve had throughout this pandemic in June. Major League Soccer might not allow FCC to have matches at full capacity yet. Despite a ham-fisted approaches to Reds players showing emotion against divisional opponents. Major League Baseball hasn’t stepped in any teams way regarding capacity limits this season.

From a business angle, both teams are making an understandable and risky move. Risky since less than 40 percent of the country is considered fully vaccinated. Both teams are hoping to capitalize on pent up demand from fans. This is especially the case for FC Cincinnati. After opening their new TQL Stadium earlier this month.

FC Cincinnati hopes their new home will attract fans despite poor play on the pitch. The orange and blue go into this weekend win-less after four matches. The Reds are hoping to capitalize off making it to the MLB Postseason last year. Plus, one of their best April/May stretches of play in over five years. Even despite getting swept by a San Francisco Giants team largely comprised of former Reds.

Despite the jubilation, others are alarmed by the CDC’s sudden announcement. Fearful that those not fully vaccinated wont follow the rules. Those fears might be amplified by some venues not requiring proof of vaccination to enter unmasked. Leaving some venues operating under an honors system. With masks being a cultural flashpoint at times throughout this pandemic. The amount of trust that underlies an honors system could be hard to earn from some. Especially those that have taken this pandemic seriously.

Then there are folks like me walking in a murky middle ground. There are hopeful signs that we’re making progress against COVID-19. With cases and fatalities decreasing nationally in recent weeks. The easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated people could incentivize more to get vaccinated. Or prompt those that skipped their second vaccine dose to get it.

At the same time, there’s trepidation that places are moving prematurely to ease restrictions. There’s also trepidation that the CDC’s move could backfire and stall progress against the pandemic. Through not incentivizing unvaccinated people to get vaccinated. However, with gimmicks such as Ohio’s vaccine lottery, $100 savings bond payments in West Virginia and ticket deals. Incentive may become less of an issue for people in the next few weeks. A key issue is getting the vaccine to those that want it. Yet they face transportation issues or other constraints.

We’re in a moment full of hope and uncertainty. Despite getting both vaccine doses in recent weeks. Meeting the CDC’s definition of being fully vaccinated this weekend. Plus, being eager to go to a ballgame after being mostly cooped up at home for over a year. I might be one of those folks who keeps their mask on despite being fully vaccinated for a while.

Perhaps it’s a consequence of personally surviving a bout with COVID-19 last year. Which was incentive enough for me to get vaccinated. Perhaps it’s due to becoming accustomed to masking up outside of my home. Different places having different rules and personal convenience is another factor for many. A strained sense of trust in others could be a factor for others. There’s also a nagging fear that somehow we’re going to screw this up. It’s like being stuck in a loop of recent Cincinnati Bengals playoff disasters.

After seeing and writing about America’s bumbling through many stages of this pandemic. There’s been a constant concern that the next shoe drops. Causing cases to spike and we find ourselves closing down again. I’m hopeful that won’t be the case this time. Nevertheless, I’ll believe we’ve turned the corner when I see it.