The Washington Post recently reported on a confidential internal CDC document that confirms much of what I’ve asserted to friends: We should all be wearing masks. Months ago, the CDC stopped tracking breakthrough cases (except for hospitalizations and fatalities) and I questioned our masking guidance. Around the world, reports drew the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine into question, Israel reporting 64% then later 39% (data here). It would likely keep you out of the hospital, but their reports were particularly worrisome for families with high-risk individuals and those who couldn’t get vaccinated. Globally, COVID numbers increased, including in areas with high vaccination rates, indicating spread by those vaccinated, and over 100,000 breakthrough happened, but Americans didn’t know it.

The CDC seemed to turn a blind eye to the data from other countries. Mask mandates were lifted, despite knowing that breakthrough cases and fatalities would happen. (When did we decide some fatalities were OK?) My vaccinated friends gathered unmasked, unaware that they could put themselves or others at risk. Businesses removed mandates shifting to the honor system. People regularly remarked online that nary a mask was seen inside stores. Is everyone so honorable that my teenage son’s life was no longer at risk, I wondered? My city slowly moved closer toward “normal” and made plans to resume public meetings. This week I asked for special accommodations so I could continue to participate remotely in meetings and not put my family at risk.

I make no judgement about my friends, but I do find fault with the CDC. Its guidelines have been made with only partial data. Why?

In the meantime, the government and the media waged war on the unvaccinated. Instead of adopting a policy of empathy, the headlines read “pandemic of the unvaccinated,” often profiling unvaccinated as stupid. This tactic is neither compelling nor convincing and not the way to win anyone over.

But the reality of the Delta variant is we are all at fault for its spread. If we want to stop it, we must all be part of the solution to stop it. The troubling part is the CDC has known this. Since when? It’s unclear, but it explains the CDC walking back its recommendations for masks. More noteworthy is that it failed to cite data used for its decisions, leaving the public scratching their heads. Vaccinated should mask-up sometimes? Where? When? The Maine CDC followed suit, and its guidelines were just as baffling, especially given that the COVID breakthrough numbers are reported only weekly in Maine, despite delta being so infectious.

I took to Twitter to see if anyone caught the nuances of the language or the absence of the data. Reporters were digging but weren’t necessarily familiar with the international data. And most people trust our system implicitly; they also want to be done with the pandemic. I sincerely want to be done with it too. But the pandemic isn’t done with us.

The Washington Post reports how the document reveals that vaccinated people may spread at the same rate as unvaccinated. It states unequivocally, “Universal masking is essential to reduce the transmission of the Delta variant.”

Here’s the good news: the vaccines still prevent more than 90% of severe disease. Don’t want to die, be a long hauler or have erectile dysfunction? Get a vaccine! For those who are immune compromised, they are still at risk. They are not disposable and deserve protections too. Masks do that.

Leaders should lead, not follow. Public leaders, I am pleading with you to stop posting pictures of yourself with friends unmasked. Your vaccine may do less than you think to stop the spread of Delta. The data tells us that we can prevent spread, illness, and deaths if we all wear masks. Choosing to not wear a mask in public right now is innately irresponsible. Your mask, however, will help prevent the spread, keeping you and others safer. It is your absolute duty to wear a mask when around others — not just in hot-spots. Please don’t wait for mandates. I know you don’t want to kill my kid, or someone’s grandmother, etc. If you want all of us to be in this together, you must be willing to mask up in every situation. Want the pandemic to end? Let’s do it together with each other, not against each other.

As to the CDC, I hope it will get its act together. As for Maine, I admit I’m jaded. I’m convinced that decisions are being made in part by considerations of re-elections. Public health must come first. That would be the mark of leaders worth voting for.

Hilary Koch of Waterville is former policy manager for T1International, US Division.

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