Republicans demand CDC director explain why children have to wear masks

In a letter led by Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, lawmakers requested that Walensky provide the group with information on how the CDC came to its conclusion that children two years and older should wear face masks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

"The implementation of these recommendations has had serious consequences for some Americans," the lawmakers wrote. "Multiple parents of young children have been removed from flights, and in some instances, permanently banned, from future travel on the airline they were flying due to their toddler’s refusal to wear a mask." The Republicans pointed out that the CDC mask mandate has made it "almost impossible" for parents of children with disabilities to comply, and has resulted in "increased social isolation and negative mental health consequences."