CNN claims it's time 'to break out the masks' for new Covid surge

CNN claimed in an article on Wednesday that it's time for people to "mask up" as so-called experts warn about a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. This is amid speculation that the Biden White House will reinstate pandemic-era mandates.

In the article titled, "It may be time to break out the masks against Covid, some experts say," CNN encouraged its readers to "dust off those N95 masks."

"If you’re at high risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, it’s time to dust off those N95 masks and place them snugly over your nose and mouth to protect yourself from a recent uptick of the virus," CNN wrote.

Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist and professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, told the network that people considered to be "high-risk" should return to masking, including 80-year-old Democrat President Joe Biden.

"Octogenarians comprise the highest-risk group for complications following Covid infection," Reiner said. "At least until the numbers start to drop again, it would be appropriate for President Biden to take some precautions and wear a mask in crowds."
 

"If you're a caregiver for somebody who is at increased risk of complication following infection, then I think you should also consider putting a mask on in public places," Reiner said. "And since the masks that are most effective are N95 that are now readily available, that's the kind of mask you should wear."

While CNN seemingly attempts to induce fear into its readers, the network explained that the average American doesn't appear to be taking this apparent surge in COVID cases all that seriously and is reluctant to return to pandemic-era mandates.

"Despite the concern among experts and some institutions, Americans don't appear to be worried enough about the recent rise in cases to change their behavior," CNN wrote, citing a recent study from Axios.

The network then gave a COVID "reality check" and told its readers that the virus is "here to stay."

"Regardless of how you may feel about wearing a mask, the reality is that COVID-19 is here to stay, experts said, and we will need to continue to adapt," CNN wrote.

This article comes as the White House signed recent contracts to purchase COVID testing and equipment and to hire advisors for COVID "safety protocols," War Room revealed. 

Universities and businesses have already started reinstating mask mandates in response to the reported surge in cases.

Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, issued a mask requirement for everyone on campus, citing "reports of positive cases among students in the Atlanta University Center" as the justification, and Major Hollywood studio Lionsgate is requiring employees to "wear a medical grade face covering (surgical mask, KN95 or N95) when indoors" after a few employees had tested positive for the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning last week over the global spread of the new, "highly mutated variant" of the coronavirus known as BA.2.86, according to New York Post. There are still other variants, including the most recent one known as EG.5, or "eris," but no single strain has established itself as the dominant one.