Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its safety guidelines for the pandemic that's killed over 600 thousand Americans.
Citing indications that the stronger, deadlier delta variant could still be spread by vaccinated people with rare breakthrough infections, the CDC urged Americans to mask up again for indoor public functions, regardless of vaccination status.
The revision came after public health officials warned for months that, if not enough people got vaccinated, the virus would have the mobility necessary for more resistant variants like Delta to emerge. Due in no small part to an onslaught of right-wing disinformation regarding vaccines, the number of fully vaccinated Americans remained insufficient.
While few were happy at the prospect of masking up again, Republican lawmakers were downright enraged at the CDC's announcement, falsely claiming the development isn't necessary with a vaccine.
Among those Republicans was Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
.@tedcruz: "Has there ever been an institution in American public life that has more discredited itself more rapidly, than the CDC?"pic.twitter.com/04xj4kIjRa— The Hill (@The Hill) 1627599153
Cruz said:
"Apparently, according to the CDC, vaccines don't work. That science thing? Inoperative. 'We got more important things to worry about, like politics.' As an aside, Mr. President, has there ever been an institution in American public life that has more discredited itself more rapidly, than the CDC?"
Though many have criticized the CDC's messaging, Cruz's suggestion that effective vaccinations and masks are mutually exclusive is flat out wrong. The vaccines available have been proven to slow the spread of the virus and dramatically reduce the risk of death or serious symptoms in the rare event of a breakthrough infection, even in the face of the Delta Variant.
Sadly, it's not unusual for the junior Senator from Texas to spew disinformation, even from the Senate floor.
It was his question—has any institution "discredited" itself faster than the CDC?—that people found interesting.
They were quick to respond with answers.
Not even close. The Republican Party.https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol) 1627645644
Were you asleep on January 6?https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— David Corn (@David Corn) 1627611248
Congress.https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— Chase Strangio (@Chase Strangio) 1627649928
Any institution in which you are a member.https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair) 1627606709
Yes. The Republican Party under Trump. The CDC are scientists. They're SUPPOSED to change their recommendations based on new info. GOP elected officials were supposed to put democracy ahead of their leader's egohttps://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— Phil Arballo (@Phil Arballo) 1627662968
The Republican caucus.https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— Titus (@Titus) 1627618216
Cruz's critics were ruthless.
Ted Cruz is who @GreenDay was imagining when they wrote American Idiot.https://twitter.com/i/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— Chris Hahn (@Chris Hahn) 1627653081
Ted Cruz last year said "I guarantee you" Democrats would stop talking about covid restrictions if Biden won since they were just playing politics to hurt Trump\n\nNow he says Democrats are playing politics by still talking about covid restrictions even though Biden is presidenthttps://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— John Harwood (@John Harwood) 1627654292
I am so glad scientists like Jonas Salk never had to deal with #GQP morons like @tedcruz. Telling people the CDC is untrustworthy is dangerous.\n#GetVaccinatedhttps://twitter.com/thehill/status/1420879950798786562\u00a0\u2026— tchriste (@tchriste) 1627672839
Cruz may be running for President in 2024.
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