It’s been over a year now (March 8, 2020, to be exact) since the circulating video of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at the National Institutes of Health making remarks that there is “no reason to be walking around with a mask.” Of course, that was before COVID-19 became a political effort for left-leaning politicians with assistance from the mainstream media.
“There’s no reason to be walking around with a mask. When you’re in the middle of an outbreak, wearing a mask might make people feel a little bit better and it might even block a droplet, but it’s not providing the perfect protection that people think that it is. And, often, there are unintended consequences — people keep fiddling with the mask and they keep touching their face,” Dr. Fauci said.
These comments were made during the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak when there was a mask shortage for health workers, noting that they were not recommended for the general public. Since then, the country’s top infectious disease doctor has changed his stance on face masks and updated guidelines numerous times. Between moving goalposts and constantly switching the narrative on CDC guidelines, top GOP leaders have often questioned the effectiveness of masks, especially now with the distribution of vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky even said that those who are vaccinated “should continue with all mitigation strategies when in public settings,” noting that they should still practice social distancing around other people.
Sen. Rand Paul recently questioned Dr. Fauci during a Senate hearing over the irrelevance of wearing a mask after infection/recovery or vaccination, noting that there is not a single scientific study that shows reinfection after COVID-19 recovery. Dr. Fauci has been emphasizing the “need” to wear a mask even after you’ve been vaccinated. But why? Well, he doesn’t have an answer there.
“You’re telling everybody to wear a mask, whether they’ve had an infection or vaccine. What I’m saying is they have immunity, and everybody agrees they have immunity. What studies do you have that people who’ve had the vaccine or have had the infection are spreading the infection? If we’re not spreading the infection isn’t it just theater?” Sen. Paul asked.
Fauci, however, argued that the existence of “different strains of the virus” is a good reason to continue wearing masks, especially since there are instances where people have been reinfected but with a different strain. Sen. Paul fired back that there is still “no evidence” that shows a change of reinfection, hospitalization, or death after being infected or receiving the vaccine. “You want people to get the vaccine, give them a reward instead of telling them the nanny-state’s going to be there for three more years and you gotta wear a mask forever,” Sen. Paul adds.
Fauci shot back that masks are still “protective” and are “not theater” but would not elaborate on his claims.
At this point, Democrats think it’s their jobs to lecture the American people on what they can and can’t do, even when they don’t have any scientific studies to back up their claims. Aren’t they supposed to be the party that “follows the science?” Guess not.
