The CDC and Director Rochelle Walensky, in what was probably in part a political-based decision, instituted a new multi-tiered set of guidelines for masking last week. Dallas County, per the Trib, quickly narrowed its mask mandates and I suspect other larger cities and counties have done similar or will soon. Such guidelines matter nothing out in the boonies, of course. A federal mandate for masking on public transportation remains in effect. It is due to expire March 18 and surely will not be renewed.
Nationally, new cases, though having dropped sharply, are still the highest in a year.
Reaction to the ruling was definitely politicized, starting with Florida Gov. Ron DeSatan's comments at the top link. The NY Post said it meant "no more mask shaming." World Socialists notes a majority of the country still favors masking. More importantly yet for this post? It notes the CDC did a map switcharoo in conjunction with the announcement.
Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, who has been an outspoken proponent of keeping mitigation measures in place to check COVID-19 community transmission, wrote, “I never thought the CDC would gaslight us like this. Dr. Walensky, what are you doing?” He added, “Seriously, the CDC needs to improve its abysmal track record. CDC staffers should honestly oppose the gaslighting nonsense happening from the top right now.”
The move by the CDC is not so much a surprise as it is audacious. They are flagrantly attempting to pull the wool over the public’s eyes with their sudden change in masking guidelines.
WSWS is right; this is Neoliberal Joe telling the high-risk to go fend for themselves, and largely kneecaps national Dems' past staking out of the high ground on public health (to the degree that Cal Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and others hadn't already hypocritically kneecapped themselves).
#BlueAnon on Twitter loves to quote-tweet themselves some Dr. Eric. Pretty sure it took a pass this time.
Anyway, read the whole WSWS piece.
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Rick Perry (the former gov, not the primary race namesake this year), COVID air filter huckster.
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