Former Surgeon General Says CDC ‘Premature’ to Relax Mask Rules as Delta Variant Spreads

Dr Jerome Adams, the surgeon general for most of the Trump administration, fears that the relaxation of the mask guidelines may be “premature” in the face of the increase in infections caused by the delta variant of the coronavirus.

Adams regretted that he and Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s leading expert on infectious diseases, did not advocate more firmly wearing the mask at the start of the pandemic last year. Now he fears the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will repeat the mistake after rescinding its guidelines on wearing masks indoors.

“What @CDCgov said was based on science and conditions at the time, and amounted to ‘you’re safe IF you vax it OR hide it,’” Adams tweeted on Saturday. “The conditions (increase in cases) and the science (delta variant) have changed, but what people heard and remember is that masks were no longer needed…”

The CDC said in May, after about a third of Americans had been fully vaccinated, that those who were vaccinated “no need to wear masks or physically distance yourself. “

Adams made several comments early last year, on his personal social media and in television appearances, advising against wearing the mask. He has even tweeted a call last year for people to stop buying masks for fear that healthcare professionals may not be able to obtain appropriate personal protective equipment.

Adams said on Saturday he regretted his old post and that the CDC’s decision to relax masking rules was also “misinterpreted, premature and wrong.”

“Now you have health officials, cities and counties (eg LA County) and probably soon states that will be issuing guidelines in direct conflict with the @CDCgov mask guidelines posted a month ago. . , the better, “Adams said.” Believe me, I know more than anyone.

Public health officials in Los Angeles County reinstated warrant for indoor masks last week, calling it a “full hand moment on deck” amid a wave of infections following the rise of the delta variant.

The warrant has already caused some confusion, as Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told residents his office do not apply it as it contradicts CDC guidelines and is “not backed by science”.

Although groundbreaking infections can occur in people vaccinated, vaccines have been shown to be effective against severe cases of Covid-19 and hospitalizations due to the virus.

The CDC said this month that the delta variant, which is highly transmissible, is now the dominant strain of coronavirus Across the country. There is a growing concern for young people, unvaccinated, who are hospitalized at alarming rates.

President Joe Biden stepped up messages about vaccines to American youth, inviting “Driver’s License” performer Olivia Rodrigo at the White House Wednesday to discuss the importance of getting the vaccine.

Fauci described the delta variant as the the biggest threat to wipe out the coronavirus last month, after the World Health Organization declared it a “variant of concern” in May.