Sen. Rand Paul has come under a good deal of criticism for repeatedly challenging Dr. Anthony Fauci on the federal government’s coronavirus guidance. But more often than not, Paul has been right.
The latest clash between the two came on Thursday during a Senate hearing about the federal coronavirus response. Paul asked Fauci why he was advising vaccine recipients to continue social distancing and wearing masks if they had been immunized, calling the continued restrictions “theater.” Paul cited several studies that show reinfection is extremely rare, which means that if you’ve had the coronavirus or if you’ve received the coronavirus vaccine, it is very unlikely that you will ever contract or spread it again.
“No, it’s not — here we go again with the theater,” Fauci shot back, arguing vaccinated people could still potentially spread COVID-19 to others who have not been vaccinated. He also claimed the new coronavirus variants are a good reason to keep wearing masks for as long as possible.
Fauci’s reasoning might be medically correct, but Paul’s is practical and necessary. Asking the public to continue adhering to coronavirus restrictions even after it’s been vaccinated will discourage hesitant people from getting the vaccine in the first place. Fauci can talk about herd immunity all he wants, but if the government doesn’t provide people with an immediate benefit for being vaccinated, millions will not bother with it.
Fauci’s coronavirus fearmongering has become a serious obstacle for the public as it tries to move past this pandemic. Paul understands this, as do many who are sick of health officials constantly trying to shift the goal posts. It’s almost as if Paul was right all along: They never want this pandemic to end.
