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Fauci is back and insists people mask up due to new spike in COVID-19 cases

The former director of NIAID asks that people "abide by the recommendation" to wear masks if cases continue to rise. He dismisses studies that claim masks are an ineffective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Anthony Fauci Cordon Press

(Cordon Press)

Published by
Israel Duro

Antony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is back at it and this time he is insisting that people need to go back to wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. When confronted with data that shows that masks are not an effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19, the doctor stated that due to the new wave of cases, people may be asked to wear masks again. He said, "I hope they would abide by the recommendation and take into account the risks to themselves and their families."

Fauci warns that "we're going in the wrong direction"

In an interview on CNN, Fauci warned that COVID-19 hospitalizations are going up by 18-19%, indicating that "we're going in the wrong direction." He claimed that it's not possible to determine how severe it will be given how "unpredictable" this virus is. The doctor also said he is concerned that citizens "will not abide by recommendations."

Fauci wanted to make it clear that, "the CDC doesn't mandate anything." However, given the data which shows that cases are on the rise, he isn't ruling out new mask recommendations. If this ends up being the case, the doctor said:

I would hope that if we get to the point that the volume of cases is such and organizations like the CDC recommends — CDC does not mandate anything — recommends that people wear masks, I would hope that people abide by that recommendation and take into account the risks to themselves and their families.

Controversy over the real effectiveness of masks

During his interview, Fauci refuted the results of Cochrane's study which was published in January of this year. He insists that masks are an effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19. The doctor stressed that there are "other studies" that defend his position and stressed that, "When you’re talking about the effect on the epidemic or the pandemic as a whole, the data are less strong. But there are other studies, Michael, that show at an individual level, for individuals, they could be protective."

Fauci's statement unleashed angry reactions and ridicule on social media, especially among those who opposed the measure from the beginning. Senator Rand Paul called the former NIAID director's statement "subterfuge." Dr. Kevin Bass shared a photo of Fauci wearing a mask on his chin in the stands of a sporting event.

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