Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky spoke with KNX In Depth about the current state of the coronavirus pandemic in the US and the complicated job of guiding the country through a reopening.
Despite over half of Americans being fully vaccinated, Walensky is cautious about a return to pre-pandemic life.
“I’m not quite ready to declare victory. This pandemic has given us quite a few curve balls,” said Walensky. She added, however, “I have a lot of cautious optimism for where we currently are.”
Earlier this month, the CDC announced updated mask guidance, allowing fully vaccinated people to go without a mask or distancing in many indoor settings. However, fully vaccinated people are still advised to wear masks in crowded spaces like buses and planes.
According to Walensky, the CDC felt comfortable changing its mask guidance based on the decrease in positive coronavirus cases, the increase in rates of vaccinations and the “evolving science” that showed between a 90 and 97 percent effectiveness rate of the vaccines in real world studies, including protection against the variants.
Now, Walensky’s concern has shifted toward the country’s lopsided vaccine rates.
“We still do have pockets in the country that have lower rates of vaccination, higher rates of disease. In those places, is where I worry that the virus will be an opportunist. It has the potential to wreak havoc again,” she said.
Unlike last year, vaccines are widely available. Most Americans live within five miles of a vaccination site. LA County has already fully vaccinated half its 16 and older population. Now is the time to reach those who may be hesitant to receive the vaccine. Walensky said the CDC is partnering with local groups to “go one by one, door to door, community by community and answer people’s individual questions about vaccinations.”
What comes after the vaccines is not yet clear. Walensky stressed the need for more research on whether Americans will need booster shots this Fall.
Walensky hopes to see more teens and tweens vaccinated over the summer, which would allow more areas to return to in-person classrooms. LAUSD schools began reopening this Spring on a limited or hybrid digital basis.
As the US looks to reopen, Walensky said community-driven approaches are the best way forward.
Listen to KNX In Depth’s full interview with Dr. Rochelle Walensky above.