Biden administration remains cautious about easing mask rules
The White House is facing increasing pressure to revise its position on wearing masks as more states move to end mask mandates with declining COVID-19 cases and pandemic fatigue among the Americans.
Some governors and local health officials are calling for the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to release guidance on mask usage as more and more states go at it alone.
“No one is expecting the CDC to say that mask mandates need to end overnight. But where are the metrics for when restrictions can be lifted? With each passing day, the CDC is making itself less relevant, not only for COVID-19, but for other public health matters as well,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a professor of health policy and management at George Washington University.
The governors of New York and Massachusetts have announced that they would end certain mask mandates in their states.
Biden, who has long promised to follow to “follow the science” in facing pressures to announce fresh guidance on mask usage. Press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that while people are tired of the pandemic, saying “we understand where the emotions of the country are… People are tired of masks.” The administration is following the advice of medical experts who rely on scientific evidence. “That doesn’t move at the speed of politics; it moves at the speed of data,” she said.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the CDC has always acknowledged that state and local jurisdictions are responsible for masking policies, but the agency’s guidance remains unchanged. “Right now our CDC guidance has not changed … We continue to endorse universal masking in schools.”
“We have and continue to recommend masking in areas of high and substantial transmission – that is essentially everywhere in the country in public indoor settings,” she said. Dr Rochelle sees the health crisis becoming endemic when the virus is no longer disruptive to society.
