Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed, is voicing his support for President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to get Americans to wear masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Slaoui was asked about Biden’s plan to ask Americans to wear masks during his first 100 days in office.
Slaoui said, “I think it’s a good idea.”
“It’s never too late. This pandemic is ravaging the country. We all need to take our precaution, have our masks, wash our hand, and keep our distance, remain aware that this virus is a killer,” he continued.
He added, “We have a vaccine. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But we will not all have the vaccine in our arms before May or June. So we need to be very cautious and vigilant.”
Watch the video below:
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed, says President-elect Joe Biden's plan to ask Americans to wear a mask for his first 100 days in office is a "good idea": "It's never too late. This pandemic is ravaging the country" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/REWsVNHomb
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) December 6, 2020
During an interview with CNN on Thursday, Biden said, “It is important that we, in fact, the president and the vice president, we set the pattern by wearing masks. But beyond that, where the federal government has authority, I’m going to issue a standing order that in federal buildings, you have to be masked.”
“My inclination is on the first day I’m inaugurated, I’m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask — just 100 days to mask, not forever. One hundred days,” he added.
While Pfizer and Moderna have announced their coronavirus vaccine trials are more than 90% effective in preventing the virus, health experts predict that once a vaccine is approved, it will not be widely available until several months into 2021.
Additionally, they are encouraging Americans to continue to public health guidelines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended “universal mask wearing” on Friday and encouraged Americans to wear masks for every activity outside of their home.
