The Sun Sentinel answers readers’ questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the Delta variant ravages Florida, we are answering your questions about the COVID19 vaccine and what we need to do next. Submit your question by email to Lois Solomon at AskLois@sunsentinel.com.

Q. “Can the citizens of Florida form a class-action suit against Governor DeSantis for depraved indifference concerning our health and welfare regarding illness from COVID19 and his inaction for enacting laws or mandates to help prevent the spread? Many of us are masking and are vaccinated but are still very scared of breakthrough infections in a state that is rampant with this virus.” — Sue, Boynton Beach

A. A class-action lawsuit allows the claims of many people who have been harmed to be settled in a single proceeding instead of each filing a separate case. Although it may sound like COVID-19 would be a natural for this type of proceeding, since there are so many victims, Boca Raton attorney Peter Sachs recommends against this route.

“While we are all very concerned with the latest turn of events regarding the Delta strain of the virus, disagreeing with the governor’s policies is not the basis for a class action,” Sachs said. “Questions and concerns of this

sort are best dealt with at the ballot box in a democracy.”

Q. ”Can my country club make me wear a mask even though I am vaccinated?” — Ronnie, Boynton Beach

A. They can, said Boca Raton attorney Daniel E. Weber.

“Whether it is a traditional country club or a country club operating as a homeowners association, the association, through its board, will have control over the governance and operations of the facilities, including the ability to impose reasonable rules and regulations,” Weber said. “So long as the rules created are reasonable, they will be upheld by a court if challenged.”

This view is the consensus among several attorneys I asked, even though Gov. Ron DeSantis has prohibited mask mandates at some sites, such as schools.

“There’s nothing prohibiting country clubs from mandating such actions,” attorney Guy Shir said. “The issue, of course, becomes whether the governor’s orders can override that. I believe that he’s made it clear that for private businesses and establishments, he’s not going to mandate like he did for Broward County schools. So I believe I’m safe to say in a resounding yes, they can mandate masks.”

Q. “Five days after receiving my first Pfizer shot, do I have any protection from the virus if I still wear a mask, but no one else is wearing one inside a crowded restaurant?” — Linda, Sunrise

A. After your first dose, you’re considered partially but not fully protected from the virus. And that partial protection doesn’t come until two weeks after that first injection, said Dr. Joanna Drowos, an associate professor at Florida Atlantic University’s medical school.

“Assuming that your immune system is not compromised by any underlying medical conditions or medication use, you will have some protection 14 days after your first dose,” she said. “You would be considered well protected once you have completed your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, raising your

COVID-19 protection from what might be as low as

33% better than an unvaccinated person up to 90%. The vaccine’s protection is generally achieved somewhere between seven to 14 days after the second dose. It is important to continue to take precautions to limit your exposure, including masking, social distancing, avoiding crowds and hand washing.”

Q. “I want to go to church. I have both

COVID-19 shots but I’m high risk. I’m 63 years old. Both of my sisters do not want me to go yet. Because of the variant, what should I do?” — Cary, Orlando

A. I can relate to this feeling of wanting to re-engage with like-minded people and the rituals we miss. Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP, a national physicians’ network, said you should figure out a plan with your doctor.

“If she is at high risk, even though she is vaccinated, she should consider waiting longer to go in person as the numbers have increased in Florida,” Klemes said. “Maybe she could take advantage of the virtual services that are taking place.”

I know, they’re not the same as attending in person. Hopefully we won’t have to wait much longer to reconnect in the group settings we had come to love and now value more than ever.

Q. “I got vaccinated by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. I have my vaccine card but would like to know if they provide a digital record of vaccination? If not, are they planning to? Such secure proof may be needed when traveling or for other purposes.” — Scott Reiter

A. The Health Care District is not offering digital records and doesn’t plan to, spokesman Thomas Cleare said. The only exception is if you were vaccinated at the district’s C.L. Brumback

Primary Care Clinics, which maintain digital records of patients’ entire vaccination history.

Unfortunately, there’s no statewide or nationwide database for you to access your information and get a printout.

“With COVID vaccines, there is no government tracking or entering of information for who has received the vaccine at this point, like we do with the Florida SHOTS database for other vaccines,” said Dr. Joanna L. Drowos, an associate professor of family medicine at Florida Atlantic University’s medical school.

Q. “The state of Florida could not wait to stop reporting COVID infections and deaths some months ago. When will daily reporting begin again since the Delta variant appears to be the new ‘it’?” — Alan, Delray Beach

A. The Florida Department of Health stopped issuing daily reports on the rate of COVID infection and death in the state in June. At the time, the infection rate had fallen to 5%, the

World Health Organization threshold for safe re-openings. A spokeswoman said the reports were no longer needed.

“As vaccinations increase and the new case positivity rate decreases, the Florida Department of Health has moved to a weekly reporting schedule for key COVID-19 data,” department spokeswoman Weesam Khoury said in a statement.

Obviously, things have changed since then. The positivity rate was 17.8% as of July 29, which we know because the state issues weekly reports now instead of daily. The state has not announced any plan to resume the daily update.

Q. “My son was born on Aug, 3, 2004. He is turning 17. Can he get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?” — Hemi, Doral

A. Happy birthday to your son, but he can’t get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It’s only approved for age 18 and older. He can get a Pfizer shot, which is OK for ages 12 and older. It’ll be two visits instead of one, but tell him it will be worth it.