'CDC's New Mask Optional Policy, What Does It Mean,' For Children? CDC Director, CNN, 5/16

[appalachiablue]

- CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky answers Dana Bash's questions on new mask policy; how kids factor into new guidance. CNN 'State of the Union,' Sunday, 5/16/21.
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- 'Patently false': Doctor condemns new COVID-19 guidelines. Not everyone who wants vaccine can get it,' Daily Kos, May 16, 2021.

It's official: Public health experts have way more faith in the American people than I do. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actually built new guidelines released on Thursday that lean heavily on a kind of honor system in which people who haven’t been vaccinated for COVID-19 should continue wearing masks both inside and outside. Those who are fully vaccinated can enjoy a new mask-free reality without requirements to socially distance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains.

Problem is, that whole trust issue I laid out actually stems from repeated instances of anti-maskers putting their own wants above public health needs. And now, according to the latest advice from experts, I’m supposed to attach my children’s health to the hope that an American people with an incredibly shoddy track record on pretty much all fronts do the right thing. Yeah, not gonna happen. It’s worth noting, however, that I’m privileged enough to simply not have to take my children to the grocery store, but what about those who aren’t?

> Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told CNN’s Dana Bash on Sunday’s "State of the Union" that children who have not been vaccinated—and no child under 12-years-old can be—should continue to wear masks in public and socially distance. She said the hope is that “by the end of this year” vaccines will be available to children in younger age ranges. “We recognize the challenge of parents who can’t leave their kids at home,” Walensky said. “(They) should be masked in those settings and to the best of their ability to keep a distance. The recommendations for those settings have not changed.”

Neither has guidance for schools through the end of the current academic year, but that may not be the case for summer camps, Walensky said. "So yes, we do have to rapidly update our camp guidance and we're working on that right now," she said.

When asked if she trusts if people who aren't vaccinated will keep their masks on, Walensky said: “You know, I think that people who were not inclined to wear a mask were not inclined to wear a mask before Thursday.” Bash responded: “But some of them were mandated to do so, and those mandates are lifting in part because of your new guidelines.” Walensky said: ”Yes and what we’re really asking in those settings is to say, in terms of the honor system, people have to be honest with themselves. You’re protected if you’re vaccinated. You’re not if you’re not vaccinated.” ...

More, https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/5/16/2030752/-What-does-CDC-s-new-mask-optional-policy-mean-for-children



- Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, puts on a face mask after speaking at an event at The Queen in Wilmington, Del., Dec. 8, 2020.

[CentralMass]

1. What a half assed rush to get this out. Was there pressure to open

things up before Memorial day ?