A month ago, CDC head Robert Redfield startled a Senate committee when he emphatically stated that “this face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against COVID than when I take a COVID vaccine, because it may be 70% (effective).
“And if I don't get an immune response, the vaccine is not going to protect me,” Redfield said. “This face mask will.” And Redfield’s claim was backed by more than just other scientists: Arizona data.
· Arizona’s average number of daily cases increased approximately 151%, from 808 on June 1, 2020 to 2,026 on June 15, 2020 (after stay-at-home order lifted)
· On June 17, local officials began implementing and enforcing mask wearing on ~ 85% of the state population: limitation of public events; closures of bars, gyms, movie theaters: reduced restaurant dine-in capacity.
· Result: By August 7, COVID-19 cases declined by 75%, as documented in the 10/9 issue of CDC’s Mortality & Morbidity Weekly Report.
Unfortunately, only 44% of Americans to claim they “always” wear masks in public – 61% of Democrats, 24% of Republicans. 27% of Republicans claim they “never” wear masks vs. ~1% of Democrats.
Result: New US cases topped 50,000 last week, up 19% in 2 weeks. With widespread vaccination up to a year away, America must mask-up NOW
