Former White House Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci resurfaced this weekend to promote the use of masks again.
In an interview with CNN's Michael Smerconish, Fauci stuck by his long time claim that masking works to prevent the spread of Covid-19. When Smerconish challenged Fauci on the effectiveness of masks, Fauci disagreed.
"If you look on the situation as an individual protecting themselves or protecting them from spreading it, there is no doubt that masks work," claimed Fauci. "There is no doubt the weight of the studies and there have been many studies, indicate the benefit of wearing masks."
CNN's @smerconish confronts Dr. Fauci with the latest evidence that masks, even N95s, made "no difference" in the pandemic. Fauci responds by basically conceding that point while adding the nonsensical claim that masks work on an "individual basis," or something.
Smerconish ends… pic.twitter.com/tZB62saxOL
— Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) September 3, 2023
Smerconich pushed back on Fauci, citing the Chochrane Library study used in the New York Times article from February entitled, "The Mask Mandates Did Nothing. Will Any Lessons Be Learned?".
"The most rigorous and comprehensive analysis of scientific studies conducted on the efficacy of masks for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses — including Covid-19 — was published late last month. Its conclusions, said Tom Jefferson, the Oxford epidemiologist who is its lead author, were unambiguous," writes author Bret Stephens. “There is just no evidence that they” — masks — “make any difference,” he told the journalist Maryanne Demasi. “Full stop.”
Fauci argued back that there are "other studies" that show masks make a difference on the "individual level."
He then defended the shut down of schools.
"The initial shutting down was something that really had to have been done Michael, because we were in desperate situations then," said Fauci.
Fauci admitted that the CDC has no power to mandate anything.
"People keep thinking that the Federal Government is going to mandate that you wear a mask. That's not going to happen, but there may be individual institutions, organizations that say if you want to come to work you need to wear a mask," said Fauci. "It is extremely unlikely that you are going to see a mandate from the CDC, which has no authority to mandate anything in regard to masks, they can only recommend it."
"In light of Dr. Fauci's reemergence on the media circuit this weekend defending masks, a reminder: 'We can never let what Fauci did to this country happen again', -Gov Ron DeSantis", posted DeSantis campaign spokesman Bryan Griffin.
DeSantis signed a law making it illegal for schools and private businesses in Florida to mandate masks.
In light of Dr. Fauci's reemergence on the media circuit this weekend defending masks, a reminder: pic.twitter.com/jc4zdjShYQ
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) September 4, 2023
While Fauci admits the CDC cannot mandate masks, many school boards and county governments in Florida were adopting CDC policies and implementing mandates based on their recommendations. Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a law preventing the ability of local government and school boards from circumventing the legislature to implement WHO or CDC recommendations.
DeSantis said one of the problems during Covid was local and state health departments relying on "flawed guidance" from organizations like the CDC.
"In the State of Florida we want to be a buffer against flawed guidance," said DeSantis. "I think they are really looking to institutionalize lockdown policies, and that will not happen here."
Last week, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo suggested people not comply with mask directives.
"What do you call re-imposing mask policies that have been proven ineffective or restarting lockdowns that are known to cause harm?" posted Ladapo. "You don't call it sanity. These terrible policies only work with your cooperation. How about refusing to participate…"
