We are assessing the most important factors
based on where we are in the pandemic,
and we'll soon put guidance in place that
is relevant and encourages prevention measures
when they are most needed to protect public health
and our hospitals.
We want to give people a break from things like mask-wearing
when these metrics are better and then
have the ability to reach for them
again should things worsen.
If and when we update our guidance,
we will communicate that clearly and it will be based
on the data and the science.
However, it's also important to remember,
regardless of the level of disease
burdening your community, there are still very important times
to continue to wear your mask.
If you're symptomatic or feeling unwell, you should wear a mask.
If you're in the 10 days after a COVID diagnosis,
you should wear a mask.
If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19
and are quarantining, you should wear a mask.
REPORTER: Dr. Walensky, you said you did plan
to update the guidance soon.
I want to clarify that that is indoor masking
and if you can say that that might
come as early as next week.
And then, Jeff, if you could say--
has anyone within the administration indicated
to the CDC at all that they would
like to see revised mask guidance
by the end of the month?
Thank you.
Maybe I'll start and just say we are looking at an overview
of much of our guidance, and masking in all settings
will be a part of that.
I'd just say that CDC is clearly in the lead
here on both the substance and the timing of masking guidance.