Jen Psaki warns ‘wearing masks is going to be essential’ even for vaccinated Americans

The Biden administration wants Americans wearing masks for the long haul — even if they’re vaccinated.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday that being inoculated against COVID-19 should not be seen as a green light for citizens to abandon social distancing or mask rules.

“What we are also trying to do is make our health and medical experts available to ensure people understand — and I’ll reiterate it here today — it’s not just a vaccine,” Ms. Psaki said. “It’s obviously an incredible medical breakthrough and we want every American to have one, but even after you’re vaccinated, social distancing [and] wearing masks is going to be essential.”

The comment raised eyebrows in conservative social media circles.

The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro, for instance, noted that young and healthy people who are statistically not likely to die from the virus are getting the vaccine to return to normalcy.

“Do we have any evidence for this?” he asked. “Because here’s the reality: the main reason people, particularly those who are under 65, are getting the vaccine is so they can stop socially distancing and masking.”

Ms. Psaki’s comment comes against a political backdrop in which the Biden administration is trying to fast-track vaccinations to as many Americans as possible.

The contagion, which first spread from China in early 2020, has been attributed to the death of roughly 454,000 U.S. citizens and over 2.2 million people on a global scale.

PSAKI: “Even after you’re vaccinated, social distancing and wearing masks will be essential.” pic.twitter.com/UpbtgGG1XG

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 4, 2021