People, especially the fully vaccinated ones, have started to wonder if they will begin mask-wearing again. The White House medical adviser on COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci, is reportedly not sold on the implementation of new mask policies just yet, especially that the United States has done well with vaccinations.
According to Deseret News, the World Health Organization has urged fully vaccinated people to start wearing face masks again amid this global health crisis out of fears of the delta variant, which continues to rise in countries all over the world.
WHO assistant director-general Dr. Mariangela Simao said people could not feel safe as they had the two doses. They still need to have themselves protected.
This report also specified the WHO is not alone. For instance, Los Angeles County called for residents to practice mask-wearing in public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status, to prevent the transmission of delta variant.
Dr. Fauci's Stance
Dr. Fauci explained, it is essential to put the guidance of WHO into perspective. The health organization deals with the whole world, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fauci, and President Joe Biden issue calls for mask-wearing for the US.
It is not comparable to look, the health expert told the CBS News, at what the WHO is recommending for the world compared to what people in the US, which have done generally white well with vaccinations.
In addition, Dr. Fauci said, the US is a well-vaccinated nation. However, the whole world stays "under-vaccinated," he elaborated.
That said, the medical adviser said, he is concerned for those who have not received their COVID-19 vaccination jabs yet.
The delta variant has the capability of transmitting much more effectively from one person to another. It also can lead to more severe infections.
Therefore, there are a couple of things about it that are troublesome. The good thing about this is that COVID-19 vaccines administered in this country do quite effectively as protection against the delta variant.
The CDC Guidance
Also, according to Dr. Fauci, the CDC is not likely to change its guidance at present on face masks. Certainly, the CDC director said on the show, Today that fully vaccinated people do not need to worry about the COVID-19 variants at present.
Nevertheless, she elaborated that if one has an immunocompromising condition, an individual might have had a transplant, and one is vaccinated; they should consider their own situation if they would feel more comfortable with mask-wearing.
As a lot of US states continue relaxing COVID-19 protocols, a related CBS News report specified, there is a growing concern about the more infectious delta variant.
However, while the WHO is encouraging people to keep putting on masks even if they are vaccinated, Dr. Fauci says it does not look like the CDC is presently planning to change its guidelines.
The CDC, he explained, is continually monitoring the situation, and he's sure would remain flexible, that, if any changes are warranted according to the evolving situation, they would then make such a change in their recommendation.
However, at present, it does not look that way. Dr. Fauci added, it looks like they are going to continue to stick to their original recommendation.
Under the recommendations from the CDC, fully vaccinated people resume most indoor and outdoor activities minus mask-wearing or social distancing.
Related report about the CDC guidance on mask-wearing for fully-vaccinated people on NBC News's YouTube video below:
RELATED ARTICLE : WHO Recommends to Wear Mask Indoors Regardless of Vaccination Status
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