Updated CDC Mask Guidance: Too Little Too Late

The CDC’s partial-reversal on mask-wearing is long overdue, but the damage is done

Photo: Raychel Espiritu/Unsplash

After weeks of pressure from public health experts and mounting evidence of the risk that vaccinated people can transmit Delta variant Covid-19 infections, the CDC finally reversed course on their mask guidance. Just days after doubling down on the agency’s worst Covid-related recommendation since Biden took office, CDC director Rochelle Walensky backtracked Tuesday and said the CDC recommends the following people wear masks indoors even if they’re fully vaccinated:

• Those living in a county with rates of substantial or high Covid-19 transmission, which is at least 50 cases per 100,000 people over the previous week. (You can check your county’s rate here.)
• Those who are immunocompromised or have a greater risk for severe disease.
• Those who live with someone who is immunocompromised, at high risk for severe disease, or unvaccinated, such as children under 12.
• All teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, whether they are vaccinated or not, in line with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The CDC also recommended that fully vaccinated people who know they’ve been…