Time to Be More Liberal on Indoor Mask Mandates: Says Fauci as Vaccine Rates Rise
Dr. Anthony Fauci agreed with the loosening of the mask mandates inside establishments as the rates of Americans getting the vaccines continue to rise. The president's chief adviser said this as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded an increase in Americans with at least one dose of COVID Vaccine, New York Post reported.
The agency showed that 45.8 percent of the population have received at least a dose of vaccine. Meanwhile, 34.4 percent of the total American population were already fully vaccinated.
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Fauci on Wearing Masks
Fauci confirmed in New York Post on Sunday that the country needs to start being more liberal when it comes to wearing masks, as more Americans are getting vaccinated. Fauci furthered that the number of cases will significantly decrease once more people will be vaccinated.
"I think you're going to probably see that as we go along," said Fauci in CBS 58, explaining that loosened mask restrictions will be more evident as vaccination continues. Despite his positive remark, the chief medical advisor noted that easing the mask mandates will be possible once the U.S. had a lower daily case of 43,000 per day.
"We've got to get it much, much lower than that," said Fauci in Mass Live emphasizing that the lower cases would dramatically decrease the risks of any infection.
Meanwhile, Fauci also expressed his prediction that Americans may choose to wear face masks during seasons where respiratory ailments are prevalent, Fox 8 reported. Fauci noted that people have acknowledged that wearing masks decreases the risk of respiratory diseases.
Fauci on CDC Guidelines
Despite Fauci's statement, The CDC still suggested wearing masks in certain circumstances such as indoor dining in restaurants, except when the individuals are in the process of eating and drinking. However, Fauci expressed his belief that the agency will update its guidelines.
CDC announced that fully vaccinated Americans don't need to wear masks outdoors unless they are in a big crowd of people. Moreover, masks are not required to be worn when walking, biking, or running alone.
"The CDC will be, almost in real-time..., updating their recommendations and their guidelines," said Fauci in an interview with George Stephanopoulos also on Sunday. Fauci also noted that the significant increase in the ease of getting vaccinated will also help, noting that 40,000 pharmacies are now offering walk-in vaccinations.
Meanwhile, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb also noted that the requirements for face masks should be relaxed because COVID-19 risk is dropping. Gottlieb added that lifting face masks indoors could be started, as he underscored the states with low prevalence, high vaccination rates, and good testing in place.
Moreover, Gottlieb noted that lifting the mandates such as those concerning masks will make it easier for the officials to reimplement them once again in case a surge reoccurred. Fauci also noted that the country should focus on convincing people who are having second thoughts on the vaccines as it affects the possibility of getting mask less.
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