Fauci Draws Backlash After Announcement on Vaccinated People, Masks

Dr. Anthony Fauci revealed this week that health officials are considering bringing back mask mandates for vaccinated people, which has prompted some criticism.

The story: Fauci made the remarks during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” after host Jake Tapper asked him to confirm if there were talks regarding revising guidelines for the vaccinated and if he was part of the conversation.

Tapper also asked Fauci if he thinks that masks should be brought back, regardless of the vaccination status.

The Center for Disease and Control guidelines currently say that fully vaccinated Americans do not need to wear face coverings indoors and outdoors in most situations. However, with the rise of the Delta variant, some counties have re-introduced mask mandates for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

What he said: Fauci told Tapper that changing guidelines for vaccinated Americans is “under active consideration” by the CDC and that he is “part of the discussion.”

The White House chief medical advisor pointed out that the CDC guidelines give local governments the freedom to determine whether vaccinated people have to wear a mask. He highlighted that the agency only says that vaccinated individuals do not “need” to wear face coverings indoors.

“If you’re looking at what’s going on locally, in the trenches, in places like LA county, the local officials have the discretion, and the CDC agrees with that ability and discretion capability, to say ‘you know, you’re in a situation where we’re having a lot of dynamics of infection, but even if you are vaccinated, you should wear a mask,” said Fauci.

He added that this type of decision is not “incompatible with the CDC’s overall recommendations that give a lot of discretion to the locals.”

“And we’re seeing that in L.A. We’re seeing it in Chicago. We’re seeing that in New Orleans, because the officials there, many of them are saying, ‘Even if you’re vaccinated, it’s prudent to wear a mask indoors,'” Fauci said.

Critics took issue with Fauci’s comments.