Pauci Angered by "Wearing Masks After Vaccination Is a Play" Remark

Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), reacted angrily to the remark that "wearing masks after COVID-19 vaccination is just for show."

On the 18th (local time), Senator Rand Paul questioned Dr. Fauci at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, asking, "Is telling COVID-19 recovered patients or vaccinated individuals to wear masks just a 'theatrical act'?" CNN reported this. This was in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcement on the 8th that masks must be worn in public places even after vaccination is complete.

Dr. Fauci replied, "Masks are protective equipment, not a theatrical act." He explained, "Even after vaccination, viruses remaining in the nose and throat can be transmitted to others through breathing, coughing, or sneezing." He also noted that current vaccines have low preventive effects against variant viruses, saying, "Statements that masks are unnecessary overlook the variant viruses," and added, "Variant viruses are completely different entities."

Senator Paul, a Republican, was the first member of the U.S. Congress to test positive for COVID-19 in March last year. Even after recovery, he has shown skepticism about mask-wearing, appearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC without a mask, claiming, "I have immunity because I was already infected."

When Senator Paul told Dr. Fauci, "You wore two masks even after getting vaccinated. People do not want to hear you telling them to wear masks for life, controlling their personal lives like a nanny," Dr. Fauci responded, "I completely disagree with your assertion."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.