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| Dr. Fauci |
Dr. Fauci warns all Americans not to do this now, whether or not they have been vaccinated.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate variants, and the uptick in cases after a period of lull has made experts think again about what our future with COVID will look like. The (CDC) largely attributes the current increase to the BA.2 variant of Omicron, accounting for more than 90 percent of cases in the United States as of April 16. Fortunately, while the number of cases is rising, it does not correlate with increased hospitalizations or severe illness, according to Anthony Fauci, MD, the White House's senior adviser on COVID. But Fauci says we should still take precautions that all Americans must consider whether vaccinated or not.
According to Reuters, President Joe Biden instituted the federal mask mandate in February 2021 (with significant airlines imposing masks since spring 2020). The order has been extended at least three times.
On April 13, the CDC extended the authorization again for an additional 15 days through May 3. the CDC made the call for an extension due to the surge in COVID cases. However, on April 18, US District Judge Catherine Kimball-Maisel ruled that the CDC mask mandate was illegal.
In an April 21 correspondent Robert on CBS Costa on Red & Blue, Fauci called the decision to withhold mask requirements "disturbing."
"The CDC has the ability, through many trained epidemiologists, to make forecasts and make recommendations," Fauci told Costa. "Much more than a judge with no public health experience." Fauci urged Americans to follow CDC guidelines, which require travelers to continue to wear face masks.
During his last interview, Fauci noted that Judge Mizelle's ruling would set a "dangerous precedent" for future guidance from the CDC. CNN reported. Even though airlines and public transportation make masks optional for travelers, legal action is implemented.
On the same day, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told CNN+ reporter Chris Wallace that the appeal is important for two specific reasons.
"One is because we think it makes perfect sense, as the Department of Justice does, for the CDC, the health and data experts -- the most important health experts in our administration -- to have that time to evaluate," she said. "But also because they want to fight to ensure that the CDC's authority and ability to put states into the future remains the same."
The press secretary added: "We know there will be ups and downs in this pandemic, and we are all prepared for it to end. But we want to make sure that our public health experts can take steps, if needed, in the future."
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