Fauci warns that it is “possible” that Americans will wear masks again next year.

Dr Anthony Fauci has given a glimpse of reality to anyone who thinks the rapid vaccination campaign in the United States may soon mean that they will be able to throw face masks in the trash. Even though the United States could reach “a significant degree of normalcy” by the end of this year, that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of masks, Fauci told CNN. When CNN’s Dana Bash asked if Americans should still wear masks next year, Fauci was hesitant to give a definitive answer. “You know, I think it’s possible that it is,” Fauci said.

Fauci explained that whether or not masks would still be recommended would really depend on the circulation of the virus. “It depends on the level of dynamics of the virus that is in the community,” Fauci said. “I want it to keep going down to a baseline so low that there is virtually no threat.” The key is the combination of wearing masks and getting vaccinated. “If you combine getting most of the locals vaccinated with a very, very low level of the virus in the community, then I think you’re going to be able to say, for the most part, that we don’t have to wear masks,” he added.

Fauci appeared in several news programs on Sunday as the United States was on the verge of reaching 500,000 deaths from the coronavirus. “It’s really horrible,” Fauci said. “It’s something that’s historic. This is nothing like what we have experienced in the past 102 years since the 1918 influenza pandemic. The first known death in the United States from COVID-19 occurred in early February 2020. Four months later, the death toll had reached 100,000. Globally, nearly 2.5 million people have died from the coronavirus.