On Thursday (May 13), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its mask regulations to allow fully vaccinated Americans to safely resume the activities they did prior to the pandemic.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky defended the health agency’s decision on Sunday (May 16) and explained the new guidelines have nothing to do with pressure from the general population. “If you are vaccinated, we are saying you are safe. You can take off your mask and you are not at risk of severe disease or hospitalization from Covid-19,” she said on “Fox News Sunday.”

According to the CDC, “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations including local business and workplace guidance.”

While the rules are clearly stated, many skeptics don’t understand why the CDC has quickly changed its instructions just over two weeks after it issued a new guidance on outdoor mask use. The previous recommendations, released in late April, stated even if you’ve been vaccinated, you should avoid large indoor gatherings, and wear a mask to crowded outdoor events and indoor public spaces.

“Generally, for vaccinated people, outdoor activities without a mask are safe,” Walensky said at the time. “However, we continue to recommend masking in crowded outdoor settings and venues, such as packed stadiums and concerts where there is decreased ability to Anita in physical distance and where many unvaccinated people may also be present.”

Thursday’s Covid guideline basically peels back many of the safety measurements suggested a few weeks prior. Many of the changes are a direct result of Covid cases decreasing, vaccines becoming widely available, vaccine effectiveness being between 90-95% and data showing those who are fully vaccinated are less likely to transmit the virus.

On “Fox News Sunday,” Walensky stood her ground when host Chris Wallace challenged her about her stance.

“I can tell you it certainly would’ve been easier if the science had evolved a week earlier and I didn’t have to go to Congress making those statements,” she said. “But I’m delivering the science as the science is delivered to the medical journals and, you know, it evolved over this last week. The cases came down over this last two weeks and so I delivered it as soon as I can when we have that information available.”

“If you are not vaccinated, you are not safe.” Walensky added. “Please go get vaccinated or continue to wear your mask.”

Here’s what Walensky had to say on “Fox News Sunday” below: