Wearing Masks Again Is Advised ‘Indoors’ for the Delta Variant

“This is not a decision the CDC has made lightly,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky said during a media briefing on the latest guidance Tuesday afternoon. “It is not a piece of welcome news. (This decision) has weighed heavily upon me.” Walensky said the reason for the change in guidance is due to the more transmissible delta variant of the virus, which she said poses the most danger to unvaccinated and immunocompromised individuals.

According to the CDC, transmission of the new variant has increased the number of COVID cases nationwide by 300% from June 19-July 30, leading to more hospitalizations and deaths mostly among the unvaccinated population. While Dr. Walensky said the 3 vaccines – from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna –  provide high levels of protection against severe illness or death, vaccinated people can still spread the disease to others, and may even contract the illness, although not as severe. “Masking right now is a temporary measure,” she said.

The CDC also said another reason for the increased measure of wearing masks again comes from the slowing vaccination rate in the nation which has plateaued since the vaccines became available at the beginning of the year.

According to the CDC, 163.3 million people in the country are fully vaccinated, or 49.2% of the total population, with another 26 million more with at least on dose received. At its peak in March, some 3 million doses were being administered daily, but that number has dropped to about 450,000 each day now.

The guidance also recommends that children 12 and under wear masks while indoors, including schools because they are currently unable to be vaccinated.