It’s the “science” which seems to have little to do with science.

Here was Fauci on masks. “Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection… The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through material. It might, however, provide some slight benefit in keep out gross droplets if someone coughs or sneezes on you.”

Fauci has gone from opposing masks for adults to endorsing forcing kids to wear them. And this time there’s extra gaslighting.

President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, said he believes it is “reasonable” for students over the age of 2 to wear masks this coming school year.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released guidance on Monday urging schools across the country to mandate face coverings for students 3 years old and older, even for teenagers who have received both vaccine shots (children under the age of 12 do not yet have Food and Drug Administration approval to get a COVID-19 vaccine).

The AAPI is a left-wing advocacy group with very little credibility which falsely asserts that racism is a public health issue and badgers parents about gun control. It’s not surprising that the AAPI is on the same page as the teachers’ unions on this.

“I think that the American Academy of Pediatrics, you know, they’re a thoughtful group,” said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on CNN. “They analyze the situation, and if they feel that’s the way to go, I think that’s a reasonable thing to do.”

Is it?

What’s Fauci’s own opinion on the subject? As usual, you don’t get an answer, instead you get some exciting equivocation. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says unvaccinated individuals should wear masks indoors at K-12 schools. Fauci admitted the AAP’s recommendations might conflict with the CDC’s guidance, and he indicated “confusion” could be caused by the differences.

“I think, you know, it’s important, the CDC recommendations may be at variance with that,” Fauci said.

“But you’re absolutely correct. That does lead to some sort of confusion sometimes when people see an organization making one recommendation, in general, for the whole country and then local groups, local enterprises, local organizations, in order to get that extra step of safety, say something different,” he added. “And you’re right. That does indeed cause a bit of confusion.”

This is Fauci’s greatest gift. The ability to talk at length without actually saying a thing while making the questioner feel good.

Fauci had previously complained about confusing mask guidelines. Now that there’s confusing mask guidelines again, he can’t manage to stake a position on the subject that he won’t then swap out five minutes later.