If COVID case totals stay high, Americans may keep wearing masks into 2022, Dr. Anthony Fauci says

“I think it’s possible that that’s the case,” Fauci told CNN Sunday after being asked when Americans can expect “normality” following a pandemic that’s rocked the economy and left nearly half a million people dead.

When it comes to wearing masks, which the Centers for Disease Control recommends to help prevent spreading the virus, Fauci said “it depends on the level of dynamics of virus in the community.”.

Getting active case counts down, combined with inoculating most of the country, is what it will take for Americans to safely take the masks off, he argued.

fast approaches half a million deaths linked to the pandemic — more losses than what the country suffered in two World Wars and the Vietnam War combined.

Biden has pledged to see at least 100 million Americans vaccinated during his first 100 days in office.

More than 28 million Americans have contracted the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.