Rubio Accuses Fauci of Lying About Masks and ‘Distorting’ Herd Immunity Estimates

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is voicing his frustration with Dr. Anthony Fauci after the leading health expert shifted his tone on masks and increased his estimate for how long it would take the United States to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.

“Dr. Fauci lied about masks in March. Dr. Fauci has been distorting the level of vaccination needed for herd immunity. It isn’t just him,” Rubio wrote on Twitter Sunday.

He added, “Many in elite bubbles believe the American public doesn’t know ‘what’s good for them’ so they need to be tricked into ‘doing the right thing.'”

Fauci admitted to The New York Times earlier this week he had been purposefully raising his prediction.

He said his estimation is based partially on science and also based on his belief Americans are more willing to hear what he really has to say about it.

Fauci explained it could take close to 90% immunity to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

He told the newspaper he felt more comfortable delivering the message as more Americans are expressing confidence in the vaccine.

“When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent,” Fauci said.

He added, “Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, ‘I can nudge this up a bit,’ so I went to 80, 85.”

Fauci went on to note, “We really don’t know what the real number is. I think the real range is somewhere between 70 to 90%. But, I’m not going to say 90%.”

He, along with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, did advise the general public not to wear face masks in February and March, according to CNN.

They later changed their opinion and encouraged all Americans to wear masks.

Fauci warned on Sunday, “as we get into the next few weeks, it might actually get worse,” as IJR previously reported.