CDC Should Admit It Was Wrong And Urge Vaccinated Americans To Wear Masks Again, Says Former Surgeon

[appalachiablue]

Source: Yahoo/Business Insider

Former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams on Saturday said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should extend its mask requirements, amid the rise of COVID-19 variants.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in late June said fully vaccinated Americans don't need masks in most public places. Adams on Saturday said officials should admit those statements were "premature."

"Instead of vax it OR mask it, the emerging data suggests CDC should be advising to vax it AND mask it in areas with [rising] cases and positivity - until we see numbers going back down again," Adams said on Twitter. "CDC was well intended, but the message was misinterpreted, premature, & wrong. Let's fix it."

He added: "The sooner CDC says we were wrong, & hits the reset button, the better." Walensky on Friday said COVID-19 was "becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated" in the US. "We are seeing outbreaks of cases in parts of the country that have low vaccination coverage because unvaccinated people are at risk,"...

Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/cdc-admit-wrong-urge-vaccinated-101917149.html

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End of Title cut off: '...General Who Served Under Trump.'
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- Los Angeles Sheriff Refuses To Enforce New Indoor Mask Mandate, HuffPost, 7/18/21.

The Los Angeles County sheriff has announced his department won’t enforce the county Department of Public Health’s reinstated indoor mask mandate as COVID-19 cases soar in the area, falsely claiming it’s “not backed by science.” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement Friday that he “will not expend our limited resources” to enforce the new order.

“Forcing the vaccinated and those who already contracted COVID-19 to wear masks indoors is not backed by science and contradicts the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines,” he added...
https://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-sheriff-refuses-enforce-125540422.html

[Blues Heron]

1. Whats the big hassle in wearing a simple paper mask?

maybe it will save a life. People act like they're being forced to wear an iron lung or something, its so pathetic and sad. All this misplaced defiance just helps the virus and kills people.

[appalachiablue]

7. The defiance is absurd, it's the 'freedom'

issue again and ignorance reflecting the widespread confusion and division here now.

[Initech]

37. I personally hate them, but that's me.

But I will wear them if it is considered a safety issue.

I wonder how long will this last though?

[LisaL]

2. Exactly.

One shouldn't put all its eggs in one basket (in this case, vaccinations). Especially considering vaccinations are not 100 % effective.
I don't understand what CDC was thinking to begin with.

[CrispyQ]

3. It will be harder to get people to re-mask than it was to mask. -nt

[LisaL]

4. For sure.

Mask mandates should have never been removed to begin with.

[Evolve Dammit]

8. Agreed.

[mikeysnot]

5. Yeah that genie is not going back in the bottle

We are probably all fucked. And next year we can look forward to the omega variant…

[LisaL]

6. Up the creek without a paddle.

NT

[mac2766]

9. Where I live,

the greatest majority of people, before the vaccine was made available, never wore a mask. My wife and I did. After I was vaccinated, and when the CDC stated that it was alright to stop wearing masks I stopped.

I don't believe that I can bring myself to wear a mask again. Especially if it is to keep the unvaccinated people, who will never wear a mask, in this area safe.

I hate to say it, but screw'em. If a booster shot is made available, I'll take the booster shot, but I'm finished caring about those who have absolutely no concern for me or my family.

[LisaL]

10. Vaccines are not 100 % effective.

The best was 95% for regular covid. Delta is less (how much less is still being debated). But it's less than 95%. Which means some vaccinated people will get infected.
So you are not doing it for anti-vaxxers.

[marie999]

22. What about the children?

[Ms. Toad]

28. Like it's such a hardship to wear a mask?

A 5-year old (who is not eligible to be vaccinated) just died in Georgia.
5 fully vaccinated members of the Texas delegation now in DC have tested positive
We have one DU member + two members of her family who are breakthrough cases (two of the three have long haul)
We have another member of DU whose fully vaccinated father just died from COVID.

The vaccination is not perfect (it's no more than 80% as effective as being unvaccinated when the increased transmission and decreased effectiveness of the vaccine against the Delta variant are taken into account.

We are on track to hit 200,000 cases a day by early September (or mid-August based on today's numbers). The more exposure you have to the virus, the more ikely you are to be a breakthrough case.

Is wearing a mask really that much of a hardship to protect yourself and the 15% of the country not yet eligible for vaccination and to help ensure that we aren't creating additional variants that will make the vaccine even ess effective.

[Karma13612]

31. Thank You! Couldn't have said it better myself. ....nt

[PSPS]

11. The world was doomed when trump & the GOP made it part of their culture wars

I'm hearing from fully-vaccinated clients now that they are getting infected. Their symptoms are mild and don't require hospitalization, which is good, yet they were still infected which means the "vaccine" is, at least in their cases, only a palliative. They still were infected and, thus, are now susceptible to other long-term side effects such as cardiovascular issues, brain fog, etc.

The only way I see out of this is to start over with an enforced lockdown until the vaccination rates are much higher and the infection rate is substantially reduced. Of course, this can't happen now because people, prompted by the advertising-funded media, blame restrictions on "teh gubmint" instead of the presence of the virus. So, here we are, committed to a course where responsible masked people are required to go it alone in a world of unmasked reality-denying people until the virus runs its course, however long that may be.

[CountAllVotes]

12. I'm still wearing Buff's

Microfiber is a good material to have around your neck.

Just pull it up and you have a covering.

They have some real cool ones for sale right now ... Grateful Dead ones!

www.buffusa.com is their web address for those interested.

I'm still wearing a mask of any sort until this thing is GONE which may be NEVER!

& recommend !!

[IronLionZion]

13. There is tremendous variance in my lefty urban neighborhood

with some people still wearing masks outside, while others are dining indoors as if the pandemic is over, and everything in between. I've seen this variance with workers and customers. There is no consistency.

Plenty of experts in CDC leadership disagreed with Dr. Walensky. They felt it was too soon to lift indoor masking since so many are not yet vaccinated like children.

[BigmanPigman]

14. The cashier at my supermarket was

discussing this with the guy in front of me. Actually he was ranting. He said that the masks were removed too soon and he knew this would happen. He is pissed off and I don't blame him.

We have to protect workers, not coddle the hoax supporters.

[appalachiablue]

16. The cashier is so right. Working front and center

risking his health and life like so many others in essential jobs. We're in for months more of this crisis because of the virulence of the disease and the number of whackos and evil manipulators.

[twodogsbarking]

15. You don't need an excuse to do the right thing. Do it.

[Mr.Bill]

17. Headlines on Fox, OAN and Newsmax

would say "CDC Admits It Has Been Lying About Everything."

[Ms. Toad]

29. They weren't lying. They were just focusing on individual risk rather than community risk.

And not giving Delta the respect it was due.

From a community perspective, it was irresponsible to assume that all of those who have already proven they are not honorable will suddenly become honorable and do the right thing and mask up - especially when 15% of the population cannot yet be vaccinated.

[yaesu]

18. I've been saying this for the last few months. nt

[C Moon]

19. I think anti-vaxers should admit they are wrong.

I'm wearing a mask again because our county health department said to.
I put the blame 100% on the anti-vaxers. Not the CDC.

[Lonestarblue]

20. We will be living with this virus indefinitely because Trumpers don't care how many die.

It’s a game with them to “own the libs” and make us angry. Fortunately, the vaccine will mostly prevent us from dying, for now anyway, but the risks of new variants that are resistant to the current vaccines are great. The more the virus spreads, the more variants that will develop. There is little we can do until so many of the anti-vaxxers die that the rest get religion and get the shots. Meanwhile, I’m still masking and trying to avoid crowds. I really hope the Biden team can convince more minorities to get the shots. I understand their hesitancy, but I really hope they will protect themselves. They’re front-line workers and need protection.

[C Moon]

21. He was made Surgeon General by Trump in 2017.

Not sure I trust the guy's opinions. Anyone Trump touched is tainted with money.

[Deminpenn]

23. Frankly, don't think any of these former administration

officials or Biden transition team members like Gottlieb or Osterholm or frequently booked experts like Wen and Redliner are doing anyone any favors by appearing on cable/broadcast news programs giving opinions that contradict CDC guidance.

They are only mudding the waters and adding to the confusion surrounding vaccines and covid mutations.

[Skittles]

24. NO SHIT

there's even DUers who cannot seem to understand this

[TomCADem]

25. The Problem Is You Are Then Just Punishing People Doing the Right Thing...

...the science has not changed about being vaccinated and having a higher resistance to infection, as well as a much higher resistance to being hospitalized.

The real issue is that there is no way to police or differentiate the anti-vaxxers who happily lie about being vaccinated and throw a hissy fit about being masked.

So, what it comes down to is that adults who have been vaccinated end up having to go through the trouble of wearing a mask that does not appreciably prevent increase their safety, because the folks who are unvaccinated are acting like idiots.

Personally, I went and got vaccinated at the earliest opportunity and I have observed social distancing, mask wearing, etc., and I still choose to where a mask indoors, but it does annoy me that I have to wear a mask mostly to be benefit those anti-vax adults who lie and may still refuse to wear a mask.

[Jakes Progress]

26. Nothing new.

A large number of our daily aggravations and irritations are because of stupid people. If there were a way that only they would suffer because of not wearing masks, I wouldn't care. But their stupid insistence on spreading disease and generating more deadly mutations means that we all stay at risk.

[TomCADem]

27. This is why at this point a mask mandate would not really help...

...because the people who really do need to wear a mask, the stubbornly unvaccinated, will refuse to wear a mask, while the folks who listened to the science all along, who are wearing masks, socially distancing and are vaccinated, are not the ones rapidly spreading or dying due to COVID.

It is almost as if Republicans are encouraging their own supporters to die, then Alex Jones will scream that it is actually a Democratic/5G plot to kill Republicans with critical race theory lasers.

[LisaL]

34. You might not die, but you might get infected.

Which is likely more unpleasant then wearing a mask.

[Jakes Progress]

39. It is always handy

if stupid people wear some sort of warning to stay away from them, to avoid talking to or dealing with them.

Of course a maga hat or AR15 strapped across their shoulder at the A&P are good signs to heed. But with a mask mandate in place, it is even easier to spot the stupid people. They announce proudly to the world just how ignorant and stupid they are by not wearing a mask. Makes it easier to avoid inadvertently getting into a conversation with them if they don't happen to be cuddling their attack weapon at the time.

Make no mistake. Engaging in any activity with a stupid person will always come back to bite you. They are dangerous. If the virus carried them all off, that would be fine except for the hit to the economy and the large numbers of children they will also kill.

With a mask mandate in place, it would be easier to know which creatures to keep your loved ones away from. I'm sorry that we don't seem to be able to protect their children - ahh. But genetics though.

[Ms. Toad]

30. It actually does appreciably decrease your risk.

With increased exposure (infections going up), increased infectiousness of the Delta variant, and decreased effectiveness the same exposure that created 100 original COVID cases among the unvaccinated will now produce about 20 Delta COVID cases among the vaccinated. (And about 50 among those vaccinated with J&J).

While you are correct that we are in this pickle because of jerks who have refused to get vaccinated, wear masks. socially distance, etc. That doesn't change the reality that masks help significnatly. Wearing a mask will effectively increase the reduced effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines back to about 99% (masks, worn properly, are about 80% effective)

[Karma13612]

32. Spot on!

I agree with everything you said.

Only difference is that I am not wearing a mask, even indoors in public.

If a mask is required, I will certainly wear one as requested.

But, I am Moderna vaccinated and am fully trusting that my chances of becoming infected or spreading the disease are low enuf to mean I can go without a mask.

If someone chooses to go unvaccinated, let them have at it.

As far as children under the age of 12, I have been under the impression that kids were not high risk. That was preached repeatedly when there were plenty that wanted kids to be back in school regardless of the risk. It was always defended that kids need to be in school and that risking infecting teachers or their own family members was totally irrelevant.

Now everyone is screaming that ‘our younger than 12 yo children are in danger’.

Make em wear masks, and make sure all their ‘12 yo and older’ family members are vaccinated.

As a few here have said, why are we once again making compliant vaccinated responsible adults (who wore masks when required) have to cowtow to the anti-vax anti-mask lunatics?

And for me it IS a big deal wearing a mask. No matter the style, the shape, how it fit, I could NOT avoid my glasses fogging up. It added to my stress when out trying to do simple grocery shopping. And it made it impossible to read and see anything in front of me.

No mask unless mandated for me. At 67, I know my risks, I believe in science and the CDC, and will make standard efforts to protect myself and those around me.

[LisaL]

33. Vaccinated people are getting infected with delta.

The TX democrats that went to DC were all vaccinated. Five of them just tested positive.
They didn't wear masks on the plane to DC.
But if you are fine with getting infected so your glasses don't fog up, so be it, I guess.

[womanofthehills]

35. 151 Dead, 563 Hospitalized in Illinois Breakthrough COVID Cases

I actually don't mind wearing a mask - I just bought about 15 new really pretty flowered masks (cheap now) and always have one on a lanyard around my neck when I go out. All my masks have pockets for filters. However, when I go into Walmart (which is rare) I wear an N95.

A total of 151 people have died and more than 500 have been hospitalized in Illinois due to COVID-19 in "breakthrough" cases after they were fully vaccinated, according to state health officials.

According to data updated Wednesday by the Illinois Department of Public Health, 151 people in Illinois have died due to COVID-19 or complications after being fully vaccinated. That figure equates to 2.2% of COVID-19 deaths in the state since Jan. 1, officials said.

At least 563 fully vaccinated people have been hospitalized in Illinois, IDPH said. The state only reports breakthrough infections among those who have been hospitalized or died, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IDPH sai

d.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/151-dead-563-hospitalized-in-illinois-breakthrough-covid-cases/2556408/

[hamsterjill]

38. I'll probably be masking indefinitely when in crowds.

I’ve stopped wearing a mask around family members who I know are vaccinated. But when I go out, I’m wearing one.

I’m doing this until I (the individual person) feel safe not doing it. That may be from now on. A mask on my face hurts no one.