While the argument to vaccinate children remains highly controversial, the feeling that no event would change the masking requirement is shared by many on both sides of the political isle. Two weeks to slow the spread has turned into years; this despite a vaccine, respirators that were once in short supply and treatments that are now available which in some cases eases the symptoms.
Link to full CNBC story here:
——————
Without firm school mask mandate deadlines, ‘we can sleepwalk into indefinite masking,’ says Harvard professor
Harvard University associate professor Dr. Joseph Allen argued in favor of pulling back on masking children in schools, especially as U.S. drug regulators are set to authorize the Covid-19 vaccine to kids ages 5 to 11.
“We have to be careful that, if we don’t set firm deadlines, it’s easy to see how we can sleepwalk into indefinite masking,” said Allen during a Friday evening interview on CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith.” “With the approval of vaccines, expected very shortly, for 5 to 11-year-olds, it makes sense that we should no longer have mask mandates in schools.”
Allen also highlighted that while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set metrics for masking for adults, the agency has “inexplicably” failed to set metrics on when kids can take away masks.
The CDC did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.