Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Sunday “multi-household family gatherings” pose a threat for COVID-19 transmission — and that face masks and social distancing guidelines should be followed.
In an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Azar conceded people in both the United States and Europe are “fatigued” by the relentless pandemic.
“We know that flying on an airplane, we know going to work, we know that universities, K through 12 schools, these aren't major vectors” for the coronavirus, he said.
“We're seeing it from multi-household gatherings,” he said, and that’s where wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing “needs to take place.”
“People are tired here and in Europe,” he said. “They're walking away from the interventions because they're fatigued by it, and that's why the core message is wear that face covering and keep social distance. That's what's going to get us through this, and the reason is we have these vaccines coming, and so there's so much hope ahead, and we want to make sure everybody gets the benefit of it.”
According to Azar, by February or March there will be “general vaccination” of Americans, and by the second quarter of 2021, “every American that wants it” will be able to get the immunization.
“The governors make the call at the end of the day on whom they will prioritize,” he added.
Azar also said he expects Food and Drug Administration approval of COVID-19 vaccines “within days.”
“I’ll defer to the FDA scientists on this, and protect the security of that decision making,” he said. “I have no reason why this would be in any way off track. If things are on track, I believe we could see FDA authorization within days, but it's going to go according to their gold standard processes.”
Related Stories:
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.