Dr. Leana Wen agrees that we need 'a clear off-ramp for masking,' like vaccinating preschoolers

Sorry for all the Dr. Leana Wen posts recently, but she really let the cat out of the bag when she let it slip on CNN that “cloth masks are little more than facial decoration.” Of course, she “clarified” that comment soon after by saying that we should “require” masks that are the most effective … at a minimum, three-ply surgical masks. A lot of parents whose children have been made to wear that facial decoration made their displeasure clear.

This is an extraordinary admission. Remember what we heard from “experts” for more than a year. Now – it’s just “decoration” unless it’s a surgical mask. https://t.co/wMhnDHGMxp

— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) December 21, 2021

Actually, this is what most of us in public health have been saying all along. Face coverings are not all the same. An N95 or KN95 mask provides the best protection. A cloth covering does very little by comparison and is insufficient against extremely contagious variants.

— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) December 21, 2021

All along?🤡https://t.co/4gv3rqvkND

— Noder of the truth 🛡 (@NoderOf) December 22, 2021

What you have been saying "ALL ALONG"?

— Captain LatAm (@TweetsJoaquin) December 22, 2021

We’re old enough to remember when Rep. Eric Swalwell was tweeting at us to stop wearing masks.

Agree.

For me? I’ll play along with the performative decoration, if required. My kindergartner who hasn’t seen his teacher or fellow kids’ faces all year? We KNOW there are downsides to unnecessary masking for kids. We need to adjust and learn. Thank you for speaking out. https://t.co/uzcBOLqnht

— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) December 21, 2021

I agree that we need to have a clear off-ramp for masking. If infection levels are lower, I would be comfortable with regular testing (2X/weekly) as a replacement for masking for my preschooler. Of course, vaccination would be even better, but that's going to take time.

— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) December 21, 2021

Masking your preschooler? How about you just unmask your preschooler because your PRESCHOOLER WILL BE FINE? You are vaxxed. Everyone around you is vaxxed. Same here! I have a 7, 5, and nearly-2-year-old. Please provide evidence that I should be worried enough to mask them. https://t.co/vIEMp2nFdE

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 23, 2021

Oh wait, I forgot, no such evidence is available because it doesn't exist.

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 23, 2021

And just to get this straight, you are calling for masking your preschooler, and yet you admit that cloth masks are useless against omicron. So, you willing to N95 your two-year-old?

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 23, 2021

Preschoolers are not at risk. Why would we mask any of them in the first place?

— Lance Vader (@LanceVader) December 23, 2021

Masking a pre-schooler. pic.twitter.com/IFjzl5SssE

— FL (@FLfins1) December 23, 2021

Such nonsense. So when infection levels are low you are ok with your preschooler being either tested 2x weekly or wearing a mask? I assume indefinitely since infection levels don’t matter? You’ve lost your head

— Deepcut (@deepcuts1984) December 23, 2021

Why in the hell are you masking a pre-schooler? An even bigger question is why you would want to vaccinate a preschooler?

— Mark Thomas (#playboyreview) (@playboyreview) December 23, 2021

No child should be masked at this point, the studies have shown that they have such a miniscule chance of getting any of type of serious infection. Masking your child at this stage is nothing less than child abuse.

— kramed67037 (@Kramed67037) December 23, 2021

Stop with masking children. My kids haven’t worn a mask in well over a year

— Gene (@RedSea1014) December 23, 2021

Masking was NEVER necessary. Never.

— DonaldTrumpsHairFlap (@DTHairflap) December 23, 2021

No conditions necessary. Your preschooler does not need to be masked. Full stop.

Kids are not at risk. You know this. The fact that you won't acknowledge it publicly is extremely concerning.

— Æ (@EazyEid) December 23, 2021

Imagine a virus so deadly you have to be tested daily to see if you have it. Just stop

— james vick (@jsvick20) December 23, 2021

Are you high?

— rbe (@perdidostschool) December 21, 2021

Dr. Wen is clearly psychotic.

— Count Klossowski de Rola (@CountdeRola) December 23, 2021

You have no data to support this claim and no long term studies to support vaccinating our youth (or any age group). To say differently is reckless and endangers the public.

— Michael Davis (@99FRC) December 23, 2021

Totally insane. Covid is not going away. If you are vaxxed you are fine in a reasonably risk-adjusted world. This lady needs to get a grip. She has been the worst of the medical influencer, especially regarding the suspension of civil liberties. It won’t be forgotten.

— Scout McComb (@ScoutMccomb) December 23, 2021

Leana, your work the past 2 years has contributed to psychological damage to millions of children.

Your fear-mongering is so misguided by hypochondria & misinformation that you've unintentionally become a force for evil… ruining millions of lives. Please step down & go away.

— Independent Dude (@BSdetector_) December 23, 2021

Are you sure you're a "doctor"?

— Eric A. Blair (@DocBaxter89) December 23, 2021

We must talk openly and honestly about the very real and serious damage we are doing to young children with masks. Studies are showing MASSIVE developmental and learning loss.

— Galen Frank (@frank_galen) December 23, 2021

You don’t live in the real world.

— just reading (@dontfollow901) December 23, 2021

She lives in a world where the message changes from week to week. Don’t wear masks. Wear cloth masks. Wear two cloth masks. Wear a surgical mask. Vaccinate your toddler. Are children under 5 going to be included in Biden’s crusade to get 100 percent of Americans vaccinated?

Related:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces mask mandates for kids age 2 and up in all state-licensed child care centers https://t.co/MctRWVuwWM

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) September 15, 2021