The CDC's new guidance has devolved into a giant mess. It was a major blunder to cede responsibility: Effectively ending mask mandates is not just about science--it's a major policy decision that should have been made by President Biden himself.🧵
washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-c…
washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-c…
To be clear, it was appropriate for the CDC, as a scientific agency, to review the data & come out with a statement that vaccinated people are at little risk for contracting #covid19 & spreading it to others.
But they went way beyond this to basically end all indoor masking. /2
But they went way beyond this to basically end all indoor masking. /2
Arguably, this was the single biggest decision that the Biden team has made on #covid19, yet the president himself didn't find out about it until the morning of the announcement.
This was an astounding strategic and tactical mistake. /3
washingtonpost.com/politics/biden…
This was an astounding strategic and tactical mistake. /3
washingtonpost.com/politics/biden…
The White House needs to intervene now.
Some actions:
* Clarify that if vaccine status can't be verified, indoor mask mandates must still remain in place.
* Define region-by-region criteria for when such mandates can be lifted - i.e. when 70% of a community is vaccinated. /4
Some actions:
* Clarify that if vaccine status can't be verified, indoor mask mandates must still remain in place.
* Define region-by-region criteria for when such mandates can be lifted - i.e. when 70% of a community is vaccinated. /4
* Stop its queasiness over vaccine verification. Businesses, employers & schools are looking for leadership on how they can ensure a safe environment. The White House has already been working on minimum requirements for such credentialing; this is the time to release them. /5
* Critically, President Biden needs to own that CDC's guidance was released prematurely & without considering many consequences.
The White House must engage local/state officials, union reps, business leaders, and offer a big mea culpa for not having done so before. /6
The White House must engage local/state officials, union reps, business leaders, and offer a big mea culpa for not having done so before. /6
A decision on something as overarching & consequential as ending mask mandates should have been directed from the very top. If Pres Biden does not course-correct, the existing confusion could harm Americans' health & prolong the pandemic. /END @aslavitt46 @WHCOVIDResponse @WHCOS
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