Topline
A few days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear a face covering outside except in crowded settings, President Joe Biden indicated he would still probably wear a mask—calling it a “patriotic responsibility”—even as Republicans criticize the president for being too careful.
President Joe Biden talks to members of the media at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, before ... [+]
Key Facts
Asked Friday on NBC’s Today whether he would continue to wear a mask outside, Biden said because there was a high “likelihood” of people coming up to him when he’s outside, he would probably still wear a face covering.
But Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) echoed other conservatives in arguing that “Masks are not a ‘patriotic responsibility’” and accusing Biden of fomenting “a social stigma against people not wearing them.”
Republicans mocked Biden for fumbling to put his mask on during an outdoor rally in Georgia on Thursday, with Biggs questioning why Biden was putting a mask on at all if he was “fully vaccinated,” “outdoors” and “socially distanced.”
“Joe and Jill Biden are FULLY vaccinated,” the Republican National Committee’s Twitter account wrote, linking to a video of Biden in Georgia, and asking why the first couple was “ignoring CDC guidance on wearing masks outside?”
Crucial Quote
“It’s a patriotic responsibility, for God’s sake,” Biden said of wearing a face covering.
Chief Critics
The conservative National Review called Biden’s comments about masks on Friday reckless. “This has absolutely no basis in science,” the National Review’s Philip Klein wrote. “There is no reason to believe a vaccinated person cannot be near another vaccinated person indoors, let alone, near another person outdoors.” Some Republicans also argue that forcing vaccinated people to wear a mask sends a signal that the shots are not effective. “That is unreasonable, and the Biden Administration is off base,” Gov. Henry McMaster (R-S.C.) said during a press conference Wednesday. “The vaccine was always meant to be a means to an end, and we are nearing the end.”
Contra
Studies have shown the risk of transmitting Covid-19 outdoors is very low—but the chance is not zero and most studies analyzing the spread of the virus outdoors were conducted before vaccines were available. The CDC’s updated mask guidance was carefully worded: Americans can shed face coverings when walking, jogging or biking, or eating with friends outdoors, but not in crowded settings—like Biden’s Georgia rally. Biden praised the move as a victory in the fight against Covid-19, and an incentive for Americans to get vaccinated. “Go get the shot. It’s never been easier,” Biden said. “And once you’re fully vaccinated, you can go without a mask when you’re outside and away from big crowds.” Similarly, Leana Wen argued in the Washington Post that Biden and the Democrats sent the wrong message about the “power of our vaccines” by forcing lawmakers to socially distance and wear a mask during the president’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. Allowing vaccinated lawmakers to ditch the mask “would have sent an unequivocal message that vaccines are safe, effective and the key to ending the pandemic.”
Key Background
Health experts, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, have encouraged vaccinated Americans to continue wearing a mask because of Covid-19 variants “circulating” in the U.S. and the “small risk” of asymptomatic spread. Part of Biden’s strict mask use may be a response to his predecessor, who made a point of flouting masks and ended up catching a lively case of Covid. Former President Donald Trump did not wear a face covering in public until July 2020, months after the CDC recommended that Americans do so.
Former President Donald Trump wears a mask as he visits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center ... [+]
Further Reading
Here’s Why Republicans Say Fauci Is Increasing Vaccine Hesitancy (Forbes)
Fully Vaccinated Americans No Longer Need To Wear Masks Outside Except In Crowded Settings, CDC Says (Forbes)
