The CDC has released new face mask guidelines Tuesday as the fourth surge of COVID cases rages across the country. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig said the revised guidance that all individuals regardless of vaccine status should use face coverings indoors when there is high community spread is not surprising.
“I think it makes a lot of sense because it also helps to kind of provide some reinforcement and encouragement for unvaccinated people to wear masks as well,” said Hassig.
When the CDC previously said vaccinated individuals could not spread the virus earlier this year, Hassig said we weren’t overwhelmed with the highly transmissible Delta variant. In May the CDC guidelines stated that vaccinated individuals didn’t need to wear face coverings. Hassig said the decision was premature.
“My initial reaction when they announced the first time that vaccinated people didn’t need to wear masks, I thought that it should have been pegged to community transmission back in May. So, I’m really happy that they did this,” said Hassig.
The CDC now also recommends universal indoor masking for K-12 schools. Hassig said since only ages 12 and up can be vaccinated this leaves half of school-aged children vulnerable and children are contracting the Delta variant of COVID.
“We need to make sure that we’re providing recommendations that are going to keep the kids, and faculty and staff interacting with them on a daily basis, as safe as possible,” said Hassig.
Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said individual school systems will determine their own face mask policy this fall.
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