Jessica Adamson- C19 Tamar news

The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” with an outbreak of COVID-19, which is being increased by unvaccinated Americans and the highly contagious delta variant, the country’s top infectious disease expert said Sunday. “We’re going in the wrong  direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.”

He added that he recommends masking for those who have been vaccinated, and boosters may be suggested for those with weakened immune systems who have been vaccinated, Fauci said.

Fauci, who is also President Joe Biden’s top medical adviser, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he has been involved in discussions about changing the mask guidelines.

He noted that some local jurisdictions with rising infection rates, such as Los Angeles County, already require people to wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

More than 163 million people, or 49% of the total U.S. population, are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. Of those eligible for the vaccine, aged 12 and over, the figure rises to 57%.

Dr. Fauci also praised Republicans such as Governors Asa Hutchinson and Ron DeSantis, and Representative Steve Scalise for encouraging their constituents to get vaccinated. Their states have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

“What I would really like to see is more and more leaders in these vaccine-phobic areas to speak out publicly and encourage people to get vaccinated.”