Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb thinks new CDC mask guidance will have a 'negligible' impact on Delta wave
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, believes the CDC's latest mask guidance will have a "negligible" impact on the new wave of COVID-19 cases, which he continues to think the U.S. will be "through" within the next few weeks.
Gottlieb reacted on CNBC Wednesday to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's announcement that vaccinated people should return to wearing masks indoors in areas with high COVID-19 transmission rates due to the spread of the Delta variant.
"I think we're further into this Delta wave than we're picking up," Gottlieb said. "I've been saying that for weeks. I think in another two or three weeks, we'll be through this. This new guidance will have a negligible impact on that."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gottlieb also told CNBC he doesn't think the U.S. will get "enough bang for our buck by telling vaccinated people they have to wear masks at all times to make it worth our while." The former FDA commissioner previously pointed to the United Kingdom in making his argument that U.S. COVID-19 cases will plateau in the coming weeks, telling CNBC, "If the U.K. is turning the corner, it's a pretty good indication that maybe we're further into this than we think and maybe we're two or three weeks away from starting to see our own plateau here in the United States."
Meanwhile, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Wednesday told CBS This Morning that "if we get people vaccinated" and "if we mask in the interim," the U.S. can "halt" the new wave of cases "in just a matter of a couple of weeks." When asked if the mask guidance could have to get stricter heading into the fall, she said that "I certainly hope we don't have to be in that situation" but that "we will follow the science."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the RNC's MAGA takeover
Cartoons Artists take on RNC funding, Lara Trump, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump's presidential run: a bad bet for Republicans?
Talking Point The GOP is taking a 'big gamble' on former president's 2024 White House bid
By The Week UK Published
-
Iran at the crossroads: have the mullahs lost their grip?
In Depth Iranian voters delivered a 'stinging rebuke' to the regime in parliamentary elections
By The Week UK Published
-
Excess screen time is making children only see what is in front of them
Under the radar The future is looking blurry. And very nearsighted.
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Has the international pandemic treaty lost its way?
Under The Radar 'Wrangling and disinformation' mean plans for a global preparedness agreement are close to crumbling
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Covid-19: what to know about UK's new Juno and Pirola variants
in depth Rapidly spreading new JN.1 strain is 'yet another reminder that the pandemic is far from over'
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Long-term respiratory illness is here to stay
The Explainer Covid is not the only disease with a long version
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Seattle Children's Hospital sues Texas over 'sham' demand for transgender medical records
Speed Read Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton subpoenaed records of any Texan who received gender-affirming care at the Washington hospital
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Afghanistan has a growing female suicide problem
Speed Read The Taliban has steadily whittled away women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan over the past 2 years, prompting a surge in depression and suicide
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US life expectancy rose in 2022 but not to pre-pandemic levels
Speed Read Life expectancy is slowly crawling back up
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Sunak on 'wrong side of history' as MPs vote on infected blood payments
Speed Read PM suffers first Commons defeat after Tory rebels back move to speed up compensation for victims
By The Week UK Published