Former Maine Governor Paul LePage calls new guidance from the CDC on masking “politically-driven decision making.”
In a post on Facebook, LePage, who recently announced his gubernatorial run against Janet Mills in 2022, urged officials Wednesday to “follow the science and use common sense” when it comes to COVID-19 policy.
The statement came the same day Governor Janet Mills announced the state will follow U.S. CDC guidance recommending that everyone wear a mask indoors, vaccinated or not, in virus hotspots.
The state is also recommending that K-12 schools require everyone to wear masks regardless of location or vaccination status.
Those changes are being introduced as the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 sweeps through the nation. The variant is mostly sickening the unvaccinated population.
LePage, who received the vaccine, says requiring mask use for people who are vaccinated discourages others from getting their shots, calling it a step backwards that erodes personal freedoms.
He also said schools should be open full-time for in-person instruction in the fall.
Governor Mills has not yet indicated whether the state is considering any changes to school policy guidance beyond masking. She also says the latest changes are not a mandate.
