Americans for Public Trust today revealed an internal CDC calendar showing director Rochelle Walensky met with leaders of multiple organized labor unions just prior to tightening its mask policy.
“At every turn, the CDC has told the American people that they have followed the science, but with every record we receive, we see further proof that the CDC keeps turning to teachers unions for guidance instead,” said Caitlin Sutherland.
On May 13, 2021, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated Americans could stop wearing masks indoors and outside, which sparked confusion about how this policy would apply to schools. One day later, on May 14, Erika Dinkel-Smith, the White House director of labor engagement, said she stopped the NEA from releasing a critical statement that called for immediate clarification.
Additionally, on May 14, Walensky’s calendar shows that she spoke to multiple union leaders including: Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers; Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union; Marc Perrone, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union; Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; Bonnie Castillo, President of the AFL-CIO, affiliated National Nurses Union. The very next day, May 15, the CDC updated its masking guidance to indicate that all people should wear a mask at school regardless of vaccination status.
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