[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 136 (Sunday, August 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on another topic, the most frustrating 
aspect of America's COVID response isn't that we are being asked to 
wear masks again--I have my mask here--in COVID hotspots; the most 
maddening part of this pandemic is that Americans could have put this 
virus in their rearview mirror long ago.
  We could have saved thousands of lives. Over 600,000 Americans are 
dead from COVID-19. We could have prevented a great deal of the 
economic pain this pandemic has inflicted on America's families and 
businesses. We are here now, battling a new surge and a more dangerous 
strain of coronavirus, in large part, because the people with big 
megaphones chose, cynically and cowardly and cruelly, to spread doubt 
and denial about this virus and the vaccines that prevent it. Their 
lies cost lives.
  Fortunately, this past week seems to mark a turning point for 
America. Leaders in both the public and private sectors are stepping up 
for the common good and requiring their workers to get vaccinated or to 
get tested regularly to show they are not sick and not a danger to 
others. If you want the job, get the jab. It is time.
  President Biden also announced that all Federal workers must get 
vaccinated or tested. I commend his decision. That is leadership, and 
it will save lives.
  And to some who come to the floor of the Senate and to other places 
to say that the government should operate more like a business, take 
note: Some of the most innovative employers--Google, Netflix, Disney--
have also announced that their workers will have to be vaccinated, and 
there will be more.
  Recently, several of our Republican colleagues took to the floor of 
the Senate. They even invited over their fan club from the House. They 
lined up right behind the speakers over on the Republican side of the 
aisle. And they are very strong in their feelings that the Speaker of 
the House should not require Members to wear masks.
  Well, there is a reason for it, and the suggestion that the CDC has 
flip-flopped or that Dr. Fauci has flip-flopped belies the reality that 
the virus has flip-flopped. We are now dealing with something known as 
a Delta variant.
  There is an urgent message for all Americans who have not been 
vaccinated: While you have been avoiding vaccination or waiting for 
just the right moment, the enemy--the COVID-19 virus--has not been 
idle. The Delta variant has arrived in a big and deadly way.
  Here is what Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Director of the CDC, said:

       The Delta variant is more aggressive . . . more 
     [transferable] than previously circulating strains. It is one 
     of the most infectious respiratory [viruses] we know of . . . 
     in my 20-year career.

  Now, in case you dismiss Dr. Walensky as some nonsense-talking 
Democratic Socialist and you prefer the expertise of Tucker Carlson or 
Laura Ingraham on FOX, I hope you will not ignore the grim reality in 
the actual numbers: Over 90 percent of those infected, hospitalized, 
and dying from the coronavirus Delta variant are unvaccinated--over 90 
percent. People infected by the coronavirus Delta variant may carry 
1,000 times--1,000 times--as much virus and for a longer period of time 
as those who were infected with the original coronavirus. Those 
infected were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized than those 
infected by the original coronavirus.
  Vaccines still are effective against the Delta variant and 
coronavirus. But don't believe, if you are unvaccinated, that you are 
safe around vaccinated people. Early new data shows that fully 
vaccinated people may be able to spread the Delta variant to others as 
readily as unvaccinated people.
  In fact, it gets down to the very basics: Until America decides to 
make vaccination part of our survival, we will continue, sadly, to 
witness infections; hospitalizations; and deaths and, God forbid, more 
variants.
  Leaders in both public and private sectors are stepping up. We should 
too. People should be tested regularly, if they insist on not being 
vaccinated, to show that they are not sick and not a danger to others. 
The COVID vaccines are safe, free, readily available, and almost 
miraculously effective, and they are the way out of this pandemic.
  One more point about COVID protection: Many on the right are spitting 
mad and filled with feigned confusion about the CDC's new guidance 
urging people in COVID hotspots to wear masks indoors even if you are 
vaccinated.
  They say: How can we trust an Agency that keeps changing its rules?
  Because the virus is changing and the guidance is changing 
accordingly. The virus has mutated and gained strength because tens of 
millions of Americans have refused to wear masks or get vaccinated.
  Deliberate distortion and outraged speeches aren't going to stop the 
virus. If you want to take off the mask for good--and I sure do--if you 
want your kids to go to school without being burdened by a mask--and I 
certainly do--we need to tell the truth. Listen to the experts. Get the 
vaccine. Getting this virus behind us for good is the only way we can 
reopen America's economy.
  In the longer term, the way to remain the world's preeminent economy 
is to invest in the fundamentals of strong, sustainable growth and 
shared prosperity.
  It is good that the Senate is debating this plan. I hope that it 
passes this week as soon as possible, as well as our budget resolution. 
But in the meantime, we cannot ignore that the Nation is still in the 
throes of a pandemic.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a courtroom.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Rosen). The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
  (Ms. CANTWELL assumed the Chair.)
  (Mr. KING assumed the Chair.)
  (Ms. WARREN assumed the Chair.)
  (Ms. CANTWELL assumed the Chair.)
  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Murphy). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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