Mask-Wearing Debates Re-Energized As Delta Covid Surges

The New York Times: Delta Variant’s Spread Prompts Reconsideration Of Mask Guidance 
Throughout the pandemic, masks have ranked among the most contentious public health measures in the United States, symbolizing a bitter partisan divide over the role of government and individual liberties. Now, with a new variant of the coronavirus rapidly spreading across the globe, masks are again the focus of conflicting views, and fears, about the course of pandemic and the restrictions required to manage it. (Rabin, Mandavilli and Hubler, 6/29)

Fox News: Illinois Gov Encourages Residents To Carry Masks Amid Delta Variant Spread
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he is encouraging all residents regardless of vaccination status to leave home with a mask citing concern over the rapid spread of the Delta variant. Pritzker, who was on hand to mark the opening of a business center, wore his mask indoors until it was his turn to speak at the podium. Pritzker said that he was wearing his mask out of an abundance of caution but that "we’re all making judgment calls." (Hein, 6/29)

CNN: What If The Government Got It Wrong On Masks Again? 
There are more and more mixed messages on masks, even for those vaccinated against Covid-19.The World Health Organization is encouraging even the vaccinated to keep the masks on, particularly indoors, as the Delta variant of Covid-19 ricochets around the world. Compare that with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which a month ago told vaccinated Americans they could largely take the masks off, indoors and out. These are different organizations with different missions. The WHO is targeting an international audience, which includes many countries with low vaccination rates. The CDC is targeting the US, which has a relatively high vaccination rate, particularly in certain states. It framed the new guidance that the science shows masks aren't necessary for the vaccinated as a nudge for people to get vaccinated. (Wolf, 6/29)

San Francisco Chronicle: No Need For Now To Mask Up Indoors Again, California Says
California health officials are not ready to ask people to wear masks indoors again, despite the fast-spreading threat of the delta variant that now accounts for nearly a quarter of new coronavirus infections in the state. The delta variant has many across the world concerned, and on Monday, Los Angeles County health officials strongly recommended that all residents again wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. However, they did not reimpose the indoor-mask mandate for vaccinated people that was dropped statewide on June 15. (Vaziri and Hwang, 6/29)

WJCT 89.9 FM Jacksonville: UF Health Jax Official Does Not Recommend Masks For Vaccinated People In Florida
A UF Health Jacksonville official does not recommend fully vaccinated people in Florida wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Chad Nielsen, director of Accreditation and Infection Prevention for UF Health Jacksonville, said local residents should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which do not recommend vaccinated people mask up. That contradicts the World Health Organization’s Friday recommendation that people continue to wear masks even if they are vaccinated for COVID-19. (Wood, 6/30)

In related news about the covid task force —

The Guardian: Trump Contempt For White House Covid Taskforce Revealed In New Book
Amid chaos at the White House as the coronavirus pandemic worsened, Donald Trump took to referring derisively to the Covid taskforce chaired by his vice-president as “that [expletive] council that Mike has." The revelation about the president’s contempt for his key advisory body is one among many in a new book, Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration’s Response to the Pandemic That Changed History, which is published in the US on Tuesday. The Guardian obtained a copy. (Pengelly, 6/29)