Critics denounce new CDC guidelines urging use of masks, vaccines or not | national

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(The Center Square) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed course on Tuesday, reversing their previous COVID-19 guidelines by urging Americans to wear masks, regardless of their immunization status. Critics were quick to denounce the reversal, saying it undermines confidence in vaccines.

The CDC said all students and teachers should wear masks, even if they are vaccinated, and that all Americans, including those with the vaccine, should wear masks in public places where the virus has a significant presence. . The agency cited the delta variant of COVID, which is more transmissible.

The CDC previously announced in May that those vaccinated do not have to wear masks. The White House pushed back questions from reporters during the White House press briefing on the reasoning behind the reversal.

“When [Biden] made the comments in May, we were dealing with a very different strain of the virus than we are today, ”Psaki told reporters. “And delta is more transmissible. It spreads much faster. “

The decision throws more fuel on the fire as Americans debate the vaccine’s efficacy and safety, and many have already expressed disapproval of the new mandates. The CDC’s announcement has been criticized by Republicans, who say it will further weaken Americans’ confidence in the vaccine.

The updated CDC guidelines deeply undermine confidence in vaccines. Mask mandates for more command and control will not create trust, only resentment, said Republican House Energy and Commerce chief Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The Biden administration should lead with science, not shame and fear.

The Biden administration has also questioned whether to require vaccinations.

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced Monday that health workers working for the agency must be vaccinated against COVID. The rule includes doctors, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, medical assistants, extended-function dental assistants and chiropractors, all of whom have eight weeks to get vaccinated.

Required vaccines for Title 38 employees because it’s the best way to protect veterans, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country, McDonough said. Anytime a veteran or VA employee steps into a VA facility, they deserve to know that we’ve done everything in our power to protect them from COVID-19. With this mandate, we can once again make and keep this fundamental promise.

Even before the announcement of the CDC reversal, some state and local governments had already started to put in place their own requirements.

California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday that all healthcare workers and state employees must show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly COVID tests.

Los Angeles County has taken similar action, requiring residents to wear masks indoors, regardless of their immunization status.

“We share our deepest condolences to those of you who have lost friends, relatives and family during this difficult time,” said Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer. We plan to keep the masking requirements in place until we start to see improvements in our community transmission of COVID-19. But waiting until we are at a high level of community transmission before making a change would be too late.

New Orleans, St. Louis, and Chicago have also implemented mask warrants, among others.

The warrants have become a major point of controversy. St. Louis’ interior mask warrant has been challenged by the state attorney general.

“This continued government excess is unacceptable and unconstitutional, especially in the face of a widely available vaccine. There is absolutely no scientific reason to continue forcing children to wear masks at school,” said the attorney general of the Republic, Eric Schmitt. Schmitt is also a candidate for the Senate. In May, I filed a complaint against St. Louis County for continuing to impose such illegal restrictions, and three days later those restrictions were lifted I will continue to fight this seemingly endless control and intrusion on peoples’ lives, we will not back down.

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