WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden on Wednesday said it's a “big mistake” for states to lift pandemic restrictions, calling it a result of "Neanderthal thinking."
In brief remarks before meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to discuss ways to fight cancer, Biden said it's important to listen to the recommendations of scientists, especially as the nation is on the cusp of turning things around with the coronavirus vaccines.
"The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that, in the meantime, everything's fine, take off your mask, forget it," he said. "It still matters."
"I think it's a big mistake," Biden said. "I hope everybody's realized by now these masks make a difference."
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https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/03/joe-biden-texas-other-states-lifting-mask-rules-neanderthal-thinking/6907426002/---------------------------------------------
So there's that. And there's this about two and a half months later:
"If you’re fully vaccinated and can take your mask off, you have earned the right to do something that Americans are known for all around the world: greeting others with a smile. With a smile. So, it is a good day for the country."
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/great-day-america-biden-touting-cdcs-eased-mask/story?id=77673806--------------------------------------------
So let's be clear here that I am agreeing with Biden, the Biden two and a half months before. Biden took the Republicans out behind the woodshed for doing the same thing he did only a couple of months later. How am I the bad guy here?
On the science, did the metrics really change that much in that time frame? Was there really solid evidence that taking off the masks wouldn't be as dangerous and irresponsible as Biden insisted it was just a couple of months earlier?
When Biden did his great unmasking on May 13th of 2021, the 7 day death average was in the 600 range. On March 3rd when Biden was agreeing with me the 7 day death average was 1777. Is 600 really the magic number to take off masks? Then why didn't they go back on when deaths spiked up above 2000 a few months later proving the mistake?
I suppose there are two separate issues here.
One is the gall of a Republican criticizing a Democrat for agreeing with Republicans.
And the other is setting all of that aside, was the decision Biden's decision at that time right or wrong?