CDC Won’t Change Mask Guidelines As Delta Variant Spreads Director Says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will not change its guidelines saying fully vaccinated Americans do not have to wear masks in light of the new Delta variant, despite new World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, but the agency’s director said Wednesday local areas with low vaccination rates should consider imposing their own restrictions.26.1%. That’s the share of Covid-19 cases linked to the Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, in the U. S. as of June 19, according to the CDC. Walensky has projected the variant, which is doubling in prevalence approximately every two weeks, will eventually become the dominant strain in the U. S. Public health officials have warned the Delta outbreak will likely fuel new Covid-19 surges in areas of the U. S. where vaccination rates are low. Dr. Anthony Fauci warned late Tuesday the variant could result in there essentially being “two Americas,” as areas with high vaccination rates see low Covid-19 transmission and those with low rates experience new outbreaks. The Delta variant is spreading worldwide and sparking outbreaks in countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and Israel, which reimposed its mask mandate despite being among the most highly vaccinated countries in the world. WHO officials said Friday the variant’s spread should make people “more cautious, more diligent, and more dedicated to” following social distancing protocols like mask wearing, and Dr. Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products, warned, “Vaccine alone won’t stop the community transmission.” The rise of the Delta variant has already prompted officials in Los Angeles County to now recommend that even fully vaccinated residents wear masks indoors at public spaces—though they aren’t reimposing a mandate—and Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker has urged residents of the state to similarly mask up. Walensky was also asked about the CDC’s mask guidelines requiring them on public transportation like airplanes and trains, which some senators have urged the Biden Administration to consider getting rid of. “We’re certainly looking at these policies but I don’t expect that to change anytime soon,” the CDC director said about the mask mandates. WHO Urges Fully Vaccinated People To Continue Wearing Masks As Delta Variant Spreads—But No Word From CDC (Forbes)Americans Are Getting Concerned About Covid-19 Delta Variant, Poll Finds — But Won’t Change Their Behavior Over It (Forbes)CDC Head Says Dangerous Delta Variant Likely To Be Dominant Covid Strain. Here’s Where It’s Spreading Fastest. (Forbes)Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus All data is taken from the source: http://forbes.com Article Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondu... #variant #newspaper #newstodayusa #cnnnewstoday #newsworldwide #usanewstoday #