Critics cast doubt on alarming new Delta variant findings from CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly based its new mask guidance on a report that found the coronavirus Delta variant is as infectious as chickenpox, possibly even among vaccinated people — but the “preliminary data” quickly came under fire from Republicans on Friday.

The CDC responded by publishing an “early release” version of a non-peer-reviewed study of just 469 COVID-19 cases tied to large, public events in Barnstable County, Mass., earlier this month. In a statement, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky claimed her agency was using “the best available science and data to quickly and transparently inform the American public about threats to health” and promised to share additional information “when available.”