COVID-19 cases are surging in almost every state in the country — and now experts recommend the country needs to stop the virus before it spreads too far yet again.
Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and CNN medical analyst, recently told CNN that people need to step up and “do something dramatic to protect our country.”
- “We’re seeing this because the public misunderstood the CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people as ‘we can now do whatever we want. Even if we are unvaccinated, we can now behave as if we are vaccinated,’” she told CNN.
The call for action comes amid a surge of COVID-19 in 49 states — specifically in areas where there are low vaccination rates. This has led regions to add COVID-19 restrictions again. For example, Austin, Texas, recently brought back COVID-19 protocols after a surge in cases, according to The Texas Tribune. Similarly, Los Angeles County will add its mask mandate for indoor locations.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there is hope that the country will avoid a spike this fall — if people get vaccinated in the meantime.
- “I think now is our moment to really double down on our vaccination efforts and our other prevention interventions,” she said on “Good Morning America.”
- “We still have to send the same messages as we did last year,” Walensky said.