The nation’s top infectious diseases doctor Anthony Fauci on Thursday clashed with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) over the need for people to continue wearing masks once they’ve already been infected with or vaccinated against COVID-19.
“You’re telling everyone to wear a mask,” Paul said. “If we’re not spreading the infection, isn’t it just theater? You have the vaccine and you’re wearing two masks, isn’t that theater?”
“Here we go again with the theater,” an exasperated Fauci responded. “Let’s get down to the facts.”
Paul, who was infected with COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic last March, has said he is immune to future infection. As a result, he refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol and has declared he does not need to be vaccinated.
Paul argued there are no studies that show significant reinfection among people who have recovered from the virus or after vaccination.
“I agree with you, that you very likely would have protection from wild type for at least six months if you’re infected,” Fauci said, but pointed out there is no protection from some of the more infectious variants, like the one one first found in South Africa. The variants are a “good reason for a mask.”
“You’re making policy based on conjecture!” Paul said, talking over Fauci and accusing him of wanting people to wear masks “for another couple of years.”
“You’ve been vaccinated and you parade around in two masks for show,” Paul continued. “If you already have immunity, you’re wearing a mask to give comfort to others. You’re not wearing a mask because of any science.”
……..
“Let me just state for the record, masks are not theater,” Fauci said, adding that “I totally disagree” with what Paul said.
- Discussion
-
WATCH: Anthony Fauci and Rand Paul go head-to-head in heated clash over masks https://t.co/ZuFu5bTmf6 pic.twitter.com/v0NtAeyI1y
— The Hill (@thehill) March 19, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Sen. Rand Paul: "This is not the first time we've clashed at a Senate hearing." pic.twitter.com/bsE1B8N2eC
— The Hill (@thehill) March 19, 2021
Some people on social media have said they want to pay Rand Paul ‘s neighbor to beat him up again. The man is a jerk.
I would listen to Dr. Fauci, an expert in infectious diseases over Rand Paul who was…an ophthalmologist?
The only theater going on here is Rand Paul’s political theater. He’s a physician. He knows why we should be wearing masks. What possible personal benefit to Fauci would it be to have people wear masks for two more years? For the fun of it? I think he has better things to do.
Rand Paul is the man you call when whatever is being said requires someone with no dignity to say it.
— Josh Shahryar (@JShahryar) March 18, 2021
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.