Medical Analyst: ‘Cloth Masks Are Little More Than Facial Decorations’

CNN medical analyst Leana Wen said that cloth face masks are not effective against spreading the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and that people should wear a “three-ply surgical mask” instead.

Speaking about the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, Wen told those planning to attend to “Make sure that you’re vaccinated and boosted.”

“Make sure that you’re wearing a mask even though it’s outdoors. There are lots of people packed around you, wearing a three-ply surgical mask,” she continued.

“Don’t wear a cloth mask,” Wen added. “Cloth masks are little more than facial decorations. There’s no place for them in light of Omicron.”

Wen went on to say that the event should not be canceled because it is held outdoors and attendees are required to be vaccinated.

My point isn’t that we don’t need masks, but rather that we should require masks that are most effective to prevent disease transmission. Everyone, including children, should be wearing at least a 3-ply surgical mask when indoors & around others of unknown vaccination status. https://t.co/RXe6efAwsg

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

“We should be keeping the events that are safe and also the events that have fun for people, too,” she said. “We can’t be canceling everything especially if we’re going to be living with COVID for the foreseeable future.”

Wen addressed her comments later on Twitter, saying that she meant the “most effective” masks should be required.

“My point isn’t that we don’t need masks, but rather that we should require masks that are most effective to prevent disease transmission. Everyone, including children, should be wearing at least a 3-ply surgical mask when indoors & around others of unknown vaccination status,”