Matt Bush, FISM News
As the global pandemic moves into its third year of existence in America, one of the most confusing and hotly debated topics has been and continues to be mask wearing. From statewide mandates to CDC guidelines, the issue of whether or not to wear a mask continues to divide people both politically and socially.
According to NBC News, the Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) is expected to loosen its indoor masking guidelines, and that update could be happening as early as this week. While nothing has been finalized, it has been reported that the CDC is considering a new benchmark for whether masks are needed, potentially basing recommendations on the level of severe disease and hospitalizations in an area.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the CDC, said that the agency would “soon put guidance into place” stating that the guidelines would be based on data and science and would be communicated clearly. She also told reporters, according to Fox News, that “while she knows people want to move beyond the pandemic, there are times when it is important to continue to wear a mask.”
As Omicron cases have subsided in every state except for Maine, states have begun to lift many of their mask mandates. In fact, other than Hawaii, every state in America has either done away with mask mandates or significantly decreased scenarios of when masks have to be worn.
Additionally, only California, New York, and Maryland have neither lifted nor have a plan to lift school mask mandates. That means that 47 other states either allow children to come to school without masks or are planning to do so some time in the future. According to the Baltimore Sun Maryland may also join the other 47 states soon in lifting mask mandates in schools.
The current CDC mask guidelines are fairly subjective and difficult to understand. They include:
- Wear a mask indoors in public if you are unvaccinated.
- You do not need to wear a mask outdoors unless you are in an area of high transmission or sustained close contact with others.
- If you have a condition or a weakened immune system regardless of vaccination status, you should wear a mask.
- If you are vaccinated but in an area of high transmission, you should wear a mask.
- If you are on any form of public transportation, you should wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
There is speculation that the new guidelines will include the phrase “only when necessary,” which, similar to the above guidelines, seem subjective with no clear reasoning or explanation of when to wear a mask.
Throughout the pandemic, no other agency has received as much bad press or has lost the trust of the American people than the CDC. A poll taken in April of 2020 showed that 79% of people held a positive view of the CDC. However, only a year later, In August of 2021, only 39% of Americans said they believed the CDC had communicated a clear plan of action in response to COVID according to a Gallup Poll.
While there are still varying views on mandates and proper mitigation protocols, the majority of Americans want life to get back to normal. More and more people are expressing they are ready to do this regardless of CDC and federal guidelines. With the midterm elections now on the horizon, governors, regardless of political party, seem to be hearing that message loud and clear.