Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Friday reacted to what he sees as mixed messaging coming from the federal government regarding mask guidance. The state’s second-highest ranking officeholder took aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over what he called “contradictory” guidance.

The outspoken critic of overreaching governmental COVID-19 policy took to social media to air his grievances of President Joe Biden’s chief medical advisor and the nation’s public health agency.

Getting a vaccine and wearing a mask should be a choice, not a government mandate.  The CDC has lost all credibility with its confusing and contradictory guidance, and Fauci continues to be a disaster.  I believe people should get the vaccine…but it must not be forced on anyone.

— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) July 30, 2021

The tweet reads, “Getting a vaccine and wearing a mask should be a choice, not a government mandate. The CDC has lost all credibility with its confusing and contradictory guidance, and Fauci continues to be a disaster. I believe people should get the vaccine… but it must not be forced on anyone.”

In a statement to Yellowhammer News, Ainsworth praised the Alabama Senate’s passing of SB 267 earlier this year, which banned vaccine passports in the state.

“I was proud to preside over the Alabama Senate when we unanimously passed the new state law that prohibits businesses, universities, and other entities from discriminating against the non-vaccinated or demanding proof of vaccination,” said the lieutenant governor.

In April, the CDC revised its guidance toward masking, advising that those who had been fully vaccinated would no longer need to wear a mask outdoors unless they were in close proximity to others. Two months later, the CDC assured the American people that fully vaccinated individuals would not need to wear a mask in most situations. The health agency is now issuing guidance recommending that most people who are fully immunized against the virus resume wearing masks indoors.

In recent days, Dr. Fauci stated that bringing back mask mandates is “under active consideration.” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Friday suggested that vaccinated people wear masks outside.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL