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 the American Academy of Family Physicians
The AAFP is the largest national association of family physicians, representing 128,300 physicians and medical students. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on impactful care for people of all ages, races and genders across all medical conditions. The AAFP supports every stage of a family physician's career and provides evidence-based resources, advocacy and community to empower family medicine. To learn more, visit aafp.org. For information about health care, medical conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s patient education website, familydoctor.org.