CDC makes a U-turn and updates COVID-19 guidance, recommends masks indoors

MAHMOUD BENNETT:

BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT THROWING AWAY THAT BOX OF MASKS, YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS.

THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION IS TAKING A TURN- ISSUING NEW GUIDANCE RECOMMENDING THAT ALL AMERICANS WEAR A MASK INDOORS. HEAR ME OUT.

AS MORE PEOPLE GOT VACCINATED, THE NUMBER OF CASES AND DEATHS DECLINED. SO THE CDC RECOMMENDED ONLY UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WEAR MASKS INDOORS.

BUT THEN THE DELTA VARIANT SPREAD DRASTICALLY.
SO, BETWEEN THE RATE OF NEW CASES AND THE LOW VACCINATION RATES, THEY SAY THE RULES NEEDED TO CHANGE.

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY (CDC DIRECTOR):

“THIS IS NOT A DECISION WE AT THE C.D.C HAVE MADE LIGHTLY. THIS WEIGHS HEAVILY ON ME,”

MAHMOUD BENNETT:

HERE IS THE NEW PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE CDC:

THEY RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WEAR A MASK INDOORS IN AREAS WITH “SUBSTANTIAL OR HIGH TRANSMISSION” RATES.

LIKE SCHOOLS, WHERE THEY RECOMMEND MASKING FOR ALL TEACHERS, STAFF, STUDENTS, AND VISITORS– REGARDLESS OF THEIR VACCINATION STATUS.

THEY ALSO ADDED FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MAY CHOOSE TO WEAR A MASK REGARDLESS OF THE LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION IN THEIR AREA.

THE CDC IS RECOMMENDING UNVACCINATED OR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE WITH SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED COVID-19 BE TESTED, AND WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC INDOOR SETTINGS FOR 14 DAYS OR UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A NEGATIVE TEST RESULT.

IN SHORT, MASKS ARE HERE TO STAY AT LEAST FOR THE NEAR FUTURE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW MASKING GUIDANCE? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!