Jose Rivera and his wife Stephanie Rivera watch their nieces and nephews, Ariel, Sophia and Ignacio Arminta, as they visit Santa Monica Pier as people take advantage of the warm weather during the spring break of COVID-19 in Southern California. Santa Monica Pier and Boardwalk on Monday, March 29, 2021 in Santa Monia, California.
Al Seib | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief medical adviser, warned Monday that Americans should continue to monitor and monitor public health measures as the warmer summer months approach.
“You may remember a little over a year ago when we were looking for summer to rescue us from the floods. In fact, it was the opposite,” Fauci said during a White House coronavirus briefing.
“We saw some substantial rises in the summer. I think we shouldn’t even think about relying on the weather to save us from all that we are now,” he added.
Fauci also said Monday that Americans should continue to take doses of the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines, despite a recent study suggesting that just one dose may be enough.
Fauci has already warned that while the Biden administration is increasing vaccine production and continuing to administer a record number of vaccine doses, the nation is still in a battle with the coronavirus.
“When I feel completely withdrawn from public health measures and say no more masks, nothing at all, this is a risky business,” Fauci said during an interview last month with “Meet the Press”.
“Don’t place the ball on the 5-yard line. Wait until you reach the end zone. We’re not in the end zone yet,” he said, adding that moving prematurely away from public health measures could prolong the pandemic.
Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that Americans continue to refrain from traveling due to coronavirus cases across the country.
“We know we have a growing number of cases right now. I would advocate general travel in general,” CDC director Rochelle Walensky said last week. “We do not recommend traveling at this time, especially for unvaccinated people,” he added.
Last month, a number of states across the nation relaxed restrictions to varying degrees.
The Arizona governor ended up with capacity limits for businesses, but said they still needed masks. Texas also announced a return to full-capacity companies, but dropped its mask mandate. The Alabama governor said the state would lift its mask mandate after April 9th. South Carolina lifted the state mandate on government buildings, but recommended that restaurants continue to require facial coverage.
California will allow theme parks, outdoor sports and live stadium events to restart April 1 with reduced capacity and mandatory masks.
Mississippi also announced last week that companies could operate at full capacity and withdrew the mask state mandate.
Last month, President Joe Biden urged Americans in his first early speech to keep his eyes open against the disease following public health measures. Biden also set a goal for Americans to gather in small groups to celebrate July 4th.