Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rand Paul, accuses Dr. Anthony Fauci of contagious diseases of ‘theater’ because Fauci wears two face masks, despite being vaccinated against COVID-19. Their controversial exchange took place when COVID-19 numbers rose in Michigan and New Jersey.
At a Senate hearing on Thursday, Paul questioned health experts’ recommendation that vaccinated individuals should continue to wear face masks. Paul said that people who had the vaccine or were infected with COVID-19 have immunity, which causes them to no longer need masks.
“What studies have you done that have people who have had the vaccine or had the infection spreading the infection?” Ask Paul for Fauci according to The Washington Post. “If we do not spread the infection, is it not just theater? … You had the vaccine and you are wearing two masks. Is it just theater?”
Fauci said it was not just theater. He replied that studies have not yet finally determined whether individuals who have been vaccinated or previously infected can still spread the virus. He also said that studies have not determined whether the emerging COVID-19 variant can also infect vaccinated or previously infected individuals.
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Paul accused Fauci of ‘basing policy on suspicion’. Fauci replied that the medical recommendation to continue wearing masks was not based on suspicions, but rather on “unknowns”, the Post report.
Fauci later clarified in a statement that he believes the immunity granted by vaccinations and previous infections offers people only partial protection against COVID-19 variants. He said the viral variant could reduce one’s immunity “two to eightfold”.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 case numbers have risen in Michigan and New Jersey.
According to the John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, on March 18, 1827, Michigan confirmed new COVID-19 cases. As of March 17, the state reported 3,785 cases – an increase of 107 percent over two weeks. Michigan’s COVID-19 cases have been rising steadily since Feb. 20.
On March 4, New Jersey reported 3,193 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19. On March 17, the state reported 4,329 cases – an increase of 35 percent.
On March 18, Michigan ranks 13th among states with the highest number of infections. The state had a total of 683,000 cases and 16,835 related deaths. By comparison, from March 18, New Jersey ranks 10th among states with the highest number of infections. The state had 853,000 cases and 24,076 related deaths in general.
According to Covid Act Now, a group of epidemiologists and health experts, Michigan currently monitors the country’s highest infection rate that monitors the risk of every COVID-19 outbreak. As of March 18, Michigan’s infection rate is 1.18, meaning that every person infected with COVID-19 is likely to spread it to an average of 1.18 people. The group considers infection rates above 1.1 to be ‘high’.
Most colleges and universities in New Jersey have canceled their spring breaks to prevent a boom. It is believed that students on spring break are more likely to ignore masking and social distance measures while also forming large crowds.
Newsweek Paul’s office contacted for comment.