Sen. Paul: it's time to accept COVID is here to stay

U.S. Senator Rand Paul agrees with most Americans that it's time to accept COVID-19 as part of life and move forward.

Paul was a guest on the Greg Dunker Show Tuesday when he was asked about a recent poll from Monmouth University that showed 70 percent of Americans agree “it’s time we accept that COVID is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives.”  Paul echoed those feelings, adding he's felt that way for a couple of years now, especially with kids.

"I've been there for a couple of years now, particularly in schools," said Paul. "Schools need to be open and kids need to be learning in person, but they also need to be allowed to learn in person and play without masks on. There is no evidence really the masks do anything to slow down or do anything with the speak, they are basically theater at this point."

Paul said that should be even more obvious with a slew of recent photos surfacing of many Democrats posing maskless while others in the photos are wearing masks.

"Now you have all of these Democrat politicians, Stacy Abrams posing with her mug up there smiling away with no mask on in front of all these poor kids that have to wear masks all day long," Paul said. "People need to have an ounce of common sense here." 

Paul also believes in the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing serious illness from COVID, but that we shouldn't rule out other treatments and options.

"There are treatments out there and I think we should be emphasizing what the treatments are," Paul said. "We still tell people that if you haven't had it vaccination will lower your risk of going to the hospital, but if you have had it you are also significantly protected."

Paul cited a recent study form Johns Hopkins that found natural immunity developed from prior variants actually reduced the risk of infection with the Omicron variant.

"They both work, the vaccines work and natural immunity works and interestingly the natural immunity may last longer, " said Paul. "For people that may be debating on getting a booster, if they just had Omicron a month ago, that is your booster. It's probably better then any booster man can make. You still don't want to get this disease, but it's inevitable the vast majority will get it."

Paul ended the interview talking about tornado relief from the federal level.

Paul said; "I think a lot of FEMA money has gotten out there and there was also about $40 million that was given privately. That $40 million will go to help people that got FEMA money but not enough to replace their house or business."

You can hear the full interview here.