Biden administration reacts to dropping mask mandates

EditsMillions of Americans continue to contract the COVID-19 virus, despite vaccination status and mask usage. The common COVID-19 health regulations around the US are the requirements to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth. However, recently this year in February, several US state governors have been releasing the mask mandates, under restrictions or under no restrictions. 

Under restrictions could mean that Americans may not wear their mask in certain locations like grocery stores and restaurants but in some counties of the state masks must be worn. Other restrictions could be that masks are required in restaurants but not general stores. No restrictions could mean that masks are not required anywhere in the state or in some counties of the state. 

Generally, if certain counties continue to be required to wear masks despite other counties in the state not required to wear masks, is because that county has more positive cases and a higher infection rate of COVID-19.

The CDC however, still lets state governors know that despite their intentions to drop mask mandates, it’s better if they put more thought into dropping mask requirements in schools before they do so. Schools are one of the places with the highest transmission rates and therefore if too many students are contracting the virus, schools may be required to shut down. Moreover, it’s best if schools stay open for students’ learning purposes and that can be done if masks are required. 

In California, Governor Newsom will drop the mask mandate on Feb. 15 and all vaccinated individuals won’t be required to wear masks indoors. Some restrictions to this decision include, masks being required at all times in schools and for all unvaccinated individuals. In addition, county health officials are still requiring masks in Los Angeles.

The states in which mask mandates will not be required indoors in the following weeks of February and March include Delaware, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington. Additionally, states that will lift the mask mandates in schools in the following weeks include Massachusetts and New Jersey.

The Biden administration recommends that “Americans living in states that have pulled back their mask mandates should still follow CDC guidelines,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated.

Moreover, in states that drop mask mandates, Biden administration officials continue to advise Americans that the best thing to do is continued mask usage, especially in higher transmission areas of states.

Many Americans, however, are not exactly happy with the governor’s of their states’ decision. Although lifting mask requirements leaves hope for more normality, it is very possible to put the restrictions back up again if people start contracting the virus too much, leaving the happiness for some short-lived. 

On the other hand, many Americans are very happy with dropping mask mandates because many have been anti-masking or others just want things to be like they were before the pandemic.

A couple of leaders of more “liberal-leaning states are shifting to a new approach” regarding COVID restrictions. This means that, if masks are released but still recommended, it’s “an engage-at-your-own risk stance” of not wearing masks. 

Some county leaders express concerns about lifting mask mandates, especially when watching the numbers of people getting the virus, dying, transmission and other included factors does not make them want to jump into the decision of lifting mask requirements. Even though they obviously understand the wants of the public, they want to do what’s best for the moment.

In a different sense, individual school districts in states that release school mask mandates, make it clear that “they would keep their own mandates in place.” This continues to add to the increasing confusion of where and where not masks are required.

Article by Margaret Georgiev of Walter Johnson High School

Photo courtesy of Unsplash