05/15/2021

More Than a Third of States are Ending COVID-19 Mask Mandates

Americans are receiving mixed messages about masking

Many Americans went maskless in public on Friday for the first time in months — a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed its guidelines on face coverings for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Eighteen states have announced plans to drop public mask mandates either immediately or in the weeks to come. But others, such as California, New York and New Jersey, are moving forward with caution.

The changes come as more than one-third of Americans are fully vaccinated. They also come as the average number of new cases slips below 35,000, the lowest since September. But while progress against the pandemic is being made, Americans eager to enjoy spring weather are receiving mixed messages about masking.

Please select this link to read the complete article from CBS News.