The United States is in an ``unnecessary
predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the
virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said
Sunday.
``We’re going in the
wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as ``very
frustrated.”
He said recommending
that the vaccinated wear masks is ``under active consideration” by the
government’s leading public health officials. Also, booster shots may be
suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated,
Fauci said.
Fauci, who also
serves President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, told CNN’s “State of the
Union” that he has taken part in conversations about altering the mask
guidelines.
He noted that some
local jurisdictions where infection rates are surging, such as Los Angeles
County, are already calling on individuals to wear masks in public regardless
of vaccination status. Fauci said those local rules are compatible with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that the vaccinated
do not need to wear masks in public.
Nearly 163 million people, or 49% of the eligible
U.S. population, are vaccinated, according to CDC data.
“This is an issue
predominantly among the unvaccinated, which is the reason why we’re out there,
practically pleading with the unvaccinated people to go out and get
vaccinated,” Fauci said.
Fauci said government experts are reviewing early
data as they consider whether to recommend that vaccinated individuals to get
booster shots. He suggested that some of the most vulnerable, such as organ
transplant and cancer patients, are “likely” to be recommended for booster
shots.
He also praised
Republicans, including Govs. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Ron DeSantis of
Florida, and the second-ranking House leader, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana,
for encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated. Their states have among
the lowest vaccination rates in the country.
“What I would really
like to see is more and more of the leaders in those areas that are not
vaccinating to get out and speak out and encourage people to get vaccinated,”
Fauci said.
Hutchinson, also
speaking on CNN, said he did not know whether he might have underestimated the
hesitancy of people to get the vaccine, but acknowledged that “the resistance
has hardened in certain elements and is simply false information. It is myths.
As I go into these town hall meetings, someone said: `Don’t call it a vaccine.
Call it a bioweapon.′ And they talk about mind control. Well, those are
obviously erroneous. Other members of the community correct that.”