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UA Medical Expert Sees Updated CDC Guidelines As Sign Of Regression In Tackling COVID-19 Spread

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new set of COVID-19 protocols July 27 as the country faces another surge of viral infections.

The delta strain of COVID-19 is demonstrating a higher rate of transmissibility and more severe symptoms. The delta strain is also demonstrating a greater impact on young people than had been seen with previous COVID-19 mutations.

The new guidelines recommend a return to indoor masking — this time for vaccinated people as well as the unvaccinated.

These guidelines are focused on geographical regions that are seeing spikes — which is most of the country excluding the Northeastern corridor and the Upper Midwest. The guidelines also recommend all teachers, staff and students of K-12 schools wear masks, even if they are vaccinated.

Dr. Saskia Popescu is an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

The Show spoke with her to learn if these updated guidelines indicate a step backward in terms of curbing the spread of COVID-19.

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Steve Goldstein was a host at KJZZ from 1997 to 2022.