Coronavirus

Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, my wife and I received our COVID vaccinations, and we were grateful to the scientists, the doctors, the nurses, and everyone else who made those miracle medicines possible.

It is a relief to see vaccination numbers in this country picking up a little bit in the last few days after declining for months.

It is a relief to hear some of the loudest anti-vax quacks change their tune about the importance of getting vaccinated. While many of these charlatans and blowhards were dreaming up bizarre theories about the vaccines, the virus was not idle. In fact, months of confusion and quackery have given the virus a chance to mutate and, sadly, to again regain the upper hand.

This mutation, known as the Delta variant, is now in every State in the Union. COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the rise again. Almost all--almost all--of those who are hospitalized and facing serious illness and even death are unvaccinated. We know that.

But this is a virus the world has never seen before, and the science is still evolving. What scientists don't know yet is whether people who are vaccinated against COVID can spread the Delta variant even if they experience few symptoms.

While unvaccinated people should wear a mask whenever out in public, the CDC is recommending that vaccinated people who live in high- transmission areas also wear masks in indoor public spaces for now. Further, vaccinated people who have vulnerable individuals in their households--young children or those who are immunocompromised--should wear masks in public places. And finally, the CDC is recommending universal masking for all teachers, staff members, and students in school, regardless of vaccination status.

No one--no one--wants to wear a face mask. We all hoped that those days were all behind us. But I am bringing this mask with me in my pocket to be ready to use it when needed; others should do the same.

If you want to protect yourself, your family, and your community, get the jab. It is free and safe. Until then, wear the mask when you must.

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