The line for Coronavirus vaccinations at the United Center, Chicago, Illinois, March 10, 2021 (Scott Olson/Getty)

UPDATE, JULY 29:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now advises vaccinated people are tested for Coronavirus if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19.

The CDC had recommended that the vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure unless they we re experiencing symptoms.

ORIGINAL ENTRY, JULY 28:

The Centers for Disease Control recommends masks in some indoor settings, even for Americans vaccinated against Coronavirus.

The CDC reversed its guidance from May. It also recommended universal masking for teachers, staff, students, and visitors in schools, regardless of vaccination status.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a briefing on Tuesday, “The Delta variant is showing every day its willingness to outsmart us.”

She explained findings that even vaccinated people may become infected and carry the virus in great amounts, possibly even similar to the levels in unvaccinated people: “This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendation.”

Amid widespread opposition to masking, including from politicians, Walensky said, “This is not a decision we at CDC have made lightly. This weighs heavily on me.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci supported the CDC’s revision, “The virus is changing, we are dealing with a dynamic situation. I don’t think you can say that this is just flip-flopping back and forth. They’re dealing with new information that the science is providing.”

The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association backed universal masking in schools.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said, “Masking inside schools, regardless of vaccine status, is required as an important way to deal with the changing realities of virus transmission. It is a necessary precaution until children under 12 can receive a Covid vaccine and more Americans over 12 get vaccinated.”

President Joe Biden said the new guidance is “another step on our journey to defeating this virus.”

Biden again encouraged all Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible, after Fauci said last weekend that — because of refusals and the Delta Variant that the near-future is “not going to be good”.

See also Fauci: Coronavirus “Going In Wrong Direction” Because of Vaccination Refusals

An unnamed official told CNN that Biden will soon issue an order for federal workers to establish their vaccination status or submit to regular testing. A similar measure is already in place for New York City.

Asked about a vaccine mandate, Biden said, “That’s under consideration right now, but if you’re not vaccinated, you’re not really as smart as I thought you were.”