Confusion builds over face masks as Delta variant spreads across U.S. - CBS News
There is mounting confusion in the U.S. over face masks after the W.H.O. recommended coverings regardless of vaccination status, but the CDC said it's not changing its guidance. David Begnaud shows us how states are responding amid a rise in cases of the Delta variant. Then, Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a professor in vaccinology and the director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the day's coronavirus headlines. Aired on 06/30/2021.
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For over a year, until last week or so, masks were absolutely required to enter any and every business/store/pharmacy/gas station/etc. here in New York. There were signs on every entrance, one way aisles in stores and lines indicating six-foot distancing at every check out. But starting a week or two ago, with these new guidelines, most signs have changed, saying that masks are required for only those who aren't vaccinated. So you can imagine how it is, very few masks in sight except for about half the employees - and me. And this is just in time for both the tourist season in these parts - and the threat of the highly transmissible Delta variant. 
He explained the difference between the CDC and the WHO recommendations - said we have the vaccine here, hence the CDC guidelines - while the WHO is making recommendations for the entire world which is not as fortunate as we are so the virus is spreading unchecked.
But the fact that we have areas of this country which have such low rates of vaccination - also from Dr. Fauci - which is quite "concerning" for him, given the virulence of the Delta variant.
Given that, it sounds like reinstating the mask mandate here, especially in these vulnerable areas, sure sounds like the best decision. But now it's going to be really tough to put the genie back in the bottle, especially if it's in areas that rejected available vaccines and mask wearing to begin with.
I'm going to use that first quote when I need it. I'm in New York and mask wearing has been mandatory absolutely everywhere for well over a year - until now. Now, of course, the signs on the entrances have suddenly changed, saying masks are only required for those who aren't vaccinated. So, of course, suddenly the masks are gone, except for a few store employees - and me. *sigh*
But of course, I'm sure that a lot of those who are now maskless are just "maskholes," there's no way to tell. We have them here in New York, too. And I can sure identify with the tourist issue. I'm in the Northeast, just south of Lake George. Last year, nothing was open, so this year everything is opening up and inviting everyone in. On Monday I drove down the main road that goes through Lake George Village and the crowds in the streets rivaled every mid summer in the past. *sigh*
Dr. Fauci said that the difference in the CDC and WHO guidelines is that we have available vaccines here while the WHO is referring to the entire world where vaccines are unavailable or in short supply. The thing is, we have had vaccine sites in this area open since February-March and now there are choices, most taking walk-ins - so there is no excuse! In the beginning, it was only available to health care workers or those willing to drive across the entire state. Now several pharmacies are offering it, pharmacies in groceries, Walmart and a large state run site at the nearby local mall - with neon signs and arrows on the main road directing people to the vaccine site! So anyone who's not getting it now is doing that by choice.
So those of us who are still wearing masks are protecting ourselves from them - and protecting them from each other. And now that we have this easily transmissible Delta variant, I don't see how those of us who are paying attention have a choice. 
Just as you were vaccinated against polio, you need to get vaccinated against Covid.
