On Thursday the United States recorded nearly 60,000 new coronavirus infections and over 1,600 COVID-19 deaths. Daily infections have largely plateaued and are rising in over a dozen states, even as the White House marks its goal today of delivering 100 million doses within President Biden’s first 100 days.

On Capitol Hill, chief White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci clashed with Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul over the use of masks. Senator Paul questioned why people who’ve recovered from COVID-19 — or who’ve had the vaccine — should continue to cover their faces.

Sen. Rand Paul: “You want people to get the vaccine? Give them a reward, instead of telling them that the nanny state’s going to be there for three more years and you’ve got to wear a mask forever. People don’t want to hear it, and there’s no science behind it.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci: “Well, let me just state for the record that masks are not theater. Masks are protective. And we ask” —

Sen. Rand Paul: “If you have immunity, they are theater. If you already have immunity, you’re wearing a mask to give comfort to others. You’re not wearing a mask because of any science.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci: “I totally disagree with you.”

Dr. Fauci pushed back, saying there’s not enough data on whether people with immunity to COVID-19 can still spread the virus that causes the disease. He also warned that new viral variants may be able to reinfect people who have immunity to earlier lineages of coronavirus.