Julia Reihs/KUT People line up for vaccinations in Austin back in January. Since then, there's been a lull in the rate of vaccinations in Southern states, including Texas. New cases and deaths from COVID-19 have declined nationwide as more young Americans are eligible for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. And on Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced dramatic changes to its guidelines for face coverings – eliminating the need for them for fully vaccinated people in most situations. But the pandemic is not over. And there is potential for further surges in cases if people, especially in Southern states like Texas, put off vaccination, says Dr. Peter Hotez. Hotez is an infectious disease specialist based at Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine, and author of a new book on vaccine diplomacy. He spoke with Texas Standard about what Texans still need to do to stay safe, and whether they can expect a return to normalcy in the near future.