FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 30, 2021
Statement attributable to:
Ada D. Stewart, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians supports the CDC’s updated guidance for COVID-19 prevention in the U.S., including universal masking in K-12 schools. Vaccination is currently the leading public health strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, the AAFP urges everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. However, as many children are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and some adults are unable to get vaccinated, the updated guidance emphasizes indoor masking in public to mitigate the spread of the virus. Family physicians strongly urge businesses, institutions, and schools to follow the CDC’s guidance. Wearing a face mask has been proven to reduce the viral spread of COVID-19. In addition, those who have not been vaccinated should wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings. It is also important to continue other safety measures to stop the spread, such as frequent handwashing and social distancing. Every ounce of prevention helps move us closer to the end of this pandemic."
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Stewart, contact Julie Hirschhorn, 202-655-4949, or jhirschhorn@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.