CDC director says masks are 'more guaranteed' to protect against COVID-19 than a vaccine

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield holds up his mask during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on a review of Coronavirus Response Efforts on Ca
(Image credit: ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is once again stressing the importance of masks in the coronavirus pandemic, calling them "more guaranteed" to protect against COVID-19 than a vaccine.

CDC Director Robert Redfield testified before Congress on Wednesday and emphasized to lawmakers that face masks are the "most important, powerful public health tool we have," urging "all Americans" to "embrace" them because doing so could bring the COVID-19 pandemic "under control."

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Brendan Morrow

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.