A group of Republican governors are seemingly fed-up with the CDC’s constant flip-flopping, saying their states will not be following the most recent guideline reversal which amounts to nothing more than political theatre.
The governors argue that there is no need for masks – which many studies have proven to not be effective in the first place – with the widespread availability of the vaccine for those who want to take it.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson called the new guidance “disappointing and concerning” that the agency would make a seemingly political decision not based on science in crafting its masking guidelines.
“The recently updated CDC guidance regarding mask wearing for fully vaccinated individuals is disappointing and concerning. It’s disappointing because it is inconsistent with the overwhelming evidence surrounding the efficacy of the vaccines and their proven results,” Parson said in a statement Wednesday.
“It’s concerning because the nation’s top public health agency appears to be cowering to the political pressures of those who only want to force mandates and shutdowns, which only further prolong the recovery. This decision only promotes fear & further division among our citizens,” he added.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that his state would not be implementing another mask mandate no matter the CDC’s changing guidance.
“The time for government mask mandates is over — now is the time for personal responsibility. In May, I signed an executive order prohibiting mask mandates by gov’t entities,” Abbott said in a statement. “Every Texan has the right to choose whether they will wear a mask or have their children wear masks.”
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts slammed the CDC and said the new guidance “flies in the face of the public health goals that should guide the agency’s decision making.”
“The CDC announcement only furthers the distrust many have with the CDC. … The State of Nebraska will not be adopting their mask guidance,” Ricketts said Tuesday. “Furthermore, I will reiterate my expectations for schools and universities in the fall. Schools should convene in person without mask or vaccine requirements.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds additionally slammed the new guidance: “The Biden Administration’s new COVID-19 guidance telling fully vaccinated Iowans to now wear masks is not only counterproductive to our vaccination efforts but also not grounded in reality or common sense. I’m concerned that this guidance will be used as a vehicle to mandate masks in states and schools across the country, something I do not support.”
She added, “I am proud that we recently put new laws in place that will protect Iowans against unnecessary government mandates in our schools and local governments. As I have throughout this pandemic, I trust Iowans to do the right thing.”
The CDC’s change comes as the government is attempting to get more people to get vaccinated – while being forced to admit that the vaccine doesn’t necessarily work for the ‘Delta’ variant.
“We believe the vast majority of transmission is occurring in unvaccinated people and through unvaccinated people, but unlike the Alpha variant that we had back in May — where we didn’t believe that if you were vaccinated you could transmit further – this is different now, with the Delta variant, and we’re seeing now that it’s actually possible if you are a rare breakthrough infection that you can transmit further, which is the reason for the change,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
The CDC Director on Wednesday also revealed a rather concerning bit of information indicating a tyrannical approach the U.S. might take to get more people vaccinated.
Rochelle Walensky suggested that in their quest to force people to get vaccinated, the United States may soon implement vaccine passport-style systems like the ones that have sparked massive backlash in foreign nations.
Asked during a TV interview Wednesday about whether the United States would mandate a European-style “health pass” system for nightclubs or bars, Walensky admitted, “That may very well be a path forward.”
The director did point out, however, that “in some fully vaccinated venues,” it “is possible” for a fully vaccinated individual to transmit and pick up COVID-19 “in those settings” and added that federal officials have “seen that” during studies.
Author: Bryce Treeton