The CDC revised its guidelines for those who are vaccinated, and stores are making changes to mask rules.
To say the coronavirus outbreak impacted our shopping habits would be a vast understatement. Most of us spent the last year masking up to go to Costco, Target and Walmart, and with good reason. Now, over a year later, it seems that all our efforts to stay safe have started to pay off.
With vaccination rates rising across the states, the CDC recently updated its COVID-19 guidelines. This has led to a number of retailers revising their mask guidelines, specifically for those who are fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, someone counts as fully vaccinated if they’re two weeks out from their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks out from a shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Here are the changes you can expect to see:
Walmart
Walmart made an announcement stating that fully vaccinated associates no longer have to wear masks while inside their stores, clubs, distribution centers and offices starting May 18. This extends to fully vaccinated customers and members who shop at their stores and clubs, unless mandated otherwise by city or state ordinances.
Unvaccinated employees and customers are still required to wear a mask. No word yet on whether the one-way aisles in some of the stores will continue to be enforced, or if you’ll still have to leave through a different door than the one you came in from.
Target’s latest announcement states that fully vaccinated team members and customers will no longer be required to wear a mask while in the store unless required otherwise by local ordinances. Face coverings are still recommended for anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated, and increased safety and cleaning measures, as well as social distancing, will continue to be enforced.
In a letter to members, Costco declared that beginning May 14, members and guests can browse at the warehouse without a mask in locations with no state or local mask requirements. They won’t require proof of vaccination but will require masks in healthcare settings, including the Pharmacy, Optical and Hearing Aid sections.
In locations with state or local mask requirements, members and guests will still have to wear a face mask or shield unless they have a medical condition. Children under the age of 2 don’t have to follow this rule. There’s more good news, too—Costco brought back its free samples.
Easy Meals Made with Pantry Staples
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Taste of Home
Chicken Burrito Skillet
We love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Dinner in a BagI get a head start on this family-pleasing dinner by assembling ready-to-grab pantry kits. I measure dry macaroni and the spice mixture into separate containers, storing them in a paper bag with canned tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Chorizo Burrito BowlsI'm always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Lemon Chicken with OrzoHere's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia
Cumin Quinoa PattiesThis easy to make veggie burger packs an amazing taste, and the crunch from the addition of quinoa makes the texture to die for. This is an easy and delicious vegetarian burger option that you must try. Pan-frying adds a perfect crisp that takes it to the next level. The mixture can be made ahead of time, and it freezes very well. Enjoy! —Beth Klein, Arlington, Virginia
Ground Beef Spaghetti SkilletI remember my grandma making this stovetop supper many times—we always loved Granny’s spaghetti! My husband and I now enjoy making this for our dinner. You can easily use ground turkey instead of ground beef if that’s what you happen to have on hand. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
Easy Chicken Tamale PieAll you need are some simple ingredients from the pantry to put this slow-cooker meal together. I love the fact that I can go fishing while it cooks. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Easy Moroccan Chickpea StewWhen I'm invited to a potluck, I easily double or triple this healthy Moroccan chickpea stew to treat the crowd to an exotic dish of enticing, bold flavors. —Heather Demeritte, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tasty BurritosMy cousin is of Mexican heritage, and I’ve watched her make this crunchy beef burrito recipe for years. The very first time I made them for my own family, they instantly became a favorite meal. They’re even better warmed up the next day in the microwave. —Debi Lane, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Saucy Garlic ChickenRoasted garlic lends a rich flavor to this appetizing chicken entree, and it complements the spinach nicely. Ideal for entertaining, the recipe can be assembled in advance and popped in the oven when guests arrive. —Joanna Johnson, Flower Mound, Texas
White Turkey ChiliHere's proof that chili doesn't have to be red. I combined several recipes and changed flavors until the recipe was just right. Trust me, this one is a keeper. —Tina Barrett, Houston, Texas
Garlic Salmon LinguineThe garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Meatball TortelliniI combined some favorite staples from our freezer and pantry to come up with this easy dish. It has few ingredients and little preparation. —Tracie Bergeron, Chauvin, Louisiana
Cheesy Black Bean NachosWe're trying to go meatless once a week, and this dish helps make those meals fun, quick and super delicious. It's a great way to use up beans and canned tomatoes from your pantry. —Cynthia Nelson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Cauliflower & Tofu CurryCauliflower, garbanzo beans and tofu are each subtle on their own, but together they make an awesome base for curry. We have this recipe weekly because one of us is always craving it. —Patrick McGilvray, Cincinnati, Ohio
Easy Chicken EnchiladasThis chicken enchiladas recipe is so quick and easy, and I always receive a ton of compliments. It quickly becomes a favorite of friends whenever I share the recipe. Modify the spiciness with the intensity of the salsa and the green chiles to suit your taste. —Kristi Black, Harrison Township, Michigan
Taco LasagnaIf you like foods with southwestern flair, this just might become a new favorite. Loaded with cheese, meat and beans, the layered casserole comes together in a snap. There are never any leftovers when I take this dish to potlucks. —Terri Keena, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Simple Sausage Pasta TossFor a flash of tasty inspiration, grab a skillet and stir up turkey sausage with tomatoes, garlic and olives. Toss everything with spaghetti, and sprinkle with Parmesan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jiffy Ground Pork SkilletSome people call it dinner hour, but many of us call it rush hour. Slow down the pace with this so-simple mouthwatering ground pork meal. The only thing you'll have left over is time to share with your family at the table. —Brigitte Schaller, Flemington, Missouri
Cajun-Style Beans and SausageBeans and rice make the perfect meal because they're well-balanced, an excellent source of protein, and easy to prepare. The sausage adds full flavor to the recipe, and traditional pork sausage lovers won't even notice that chicken sausage is used in this dish. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Southwestern Beef and Rice SkilletI like to serve this kicked-up skillet dish with warm flour tortillas and a side of guacamole. If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat! —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida
Parmesan Pork TenderloinI am of Danish descent and love all things pork, both old recipes and new. Here's a dish I came up with myself. —John Hansen, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts.
Baked Mac and CheeseEven people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp white cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware
Pork Chops with Creamy Mustard NoodlesA fast, creamy skillet sauce dresses up everyday pork chops and noodles. Chicken also works well with this recipe and the zesty mix of mustards.—Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama
Slow-Cooked Turkey StroganoffI have been making this tasty dish for 30 plus years. Of all the turkey dishes we have, this is the family favorite. I can put it in my slow cooker before leaving for work and come home to a hot, delicious dinner. Serve it over cooked noodles, rice, mashed potatoes—or for a surprise, polenta. —Cindy Adams, Tracy, California
Shredded Pork with BeansA friend gave me this recipe, which my sons say is a keeper. For a change of pace, spoon the tasty filling into soft tortillas. —Sarah Johnston, Lincoln, Nebraska
Spanish Rice with Chicken & PeasMy mom made this juicy chicken and rice for us every Wednesday. I still make it for my hubby. It reminds me of family dinners growing up. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
One-Pot Chicken Pesto PastaWhen my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken pesto pasta recipe. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana
Chicken and Orzo SkilletHere’s a perfect one-skillet supper that’s colorful, healthy, filling and definitely special! Our taste testers loved the blend of spices, the touch of heat and the sophisticated flavor. —Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan
Emily adores both food and writing, so combining those passions as a writer for Taste of Home makes perfect sense. Her work has also appeared in Birds & Blooms and on TV Insider. When she’s not eating peanut butter straight from the jar, you'll find her running or birdwatching. Emily is currently a journalism graduate student at the University of Missouri.
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Updated: May 20, 2021
