Just read an article that states moderna and pfizer vaccines so far appear to be less effective against the s. african variant of covid, which has been found in 20 states. what does that mean for folks who are already fully vaccinated w/those shots?

This is a relative statistic and does not imply these vaccines do not have benefit. It just appears that they work better in more people against the original strain. Moderna actually is developing a booster for the variants, and I suspect Pfizer will also. Put into perspective, we have yearly flu shots due to viral variations, and suspect this will be future for COVID-19

If true it means you should stay masked and follow DDD (Death Defying Distancing). As we all should when out and about.

That does not mean that you don't have protection against the South African strain but it does mean that the you are not likely to have as strong an immune reaction to this strain as compared to original Chinese and European strains. Human trials have begun on Moderna's booster vaccine for variant strains.