With COVID-19 cases on the rise, some social media users are accusing vaccinated people of driving up transmission rates, falsely claiming that the CDC admitted that the vaccines are failing. These claims are misconstruing the CDC’s updated guidelines, which advise all people to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status. The CDC updated its mask guidelines because, while vaccinated people are far less likely than unvaccinated people to contract COVID-19, those who are infected with the Delta variant can spread it to others. The vaccines provide protection against severe illness from the current COVID-19 variants.
Recommendation:
Passive Response Read More +
Given that the rapidly spreading Delta variant is causing some places to reimpose mask requirements, continuing to monitor misinformation around masks is recommended. There is also widespread confusion over how effective COVID vaccines are against variants. However, attempting to proactively address every instance of misinformation about masks or variants could distract from priority talking points. Fact Checking Source(s): USA Today
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