Several US states, many of them governed by Democrats, began rolling back mask mandates this week, a move public health experts warn could set back progress battling Covid. On Wednesday, Massachusetts, Illinois, New York and Rhode Island joined California, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon in lifting mask mandates for some public places. Many states are lifting mask mandates despite public polls showing support for them. Experts warn that lifting mask mandates too early could result in unnecessary cases and deaths. Photograph: Seth Wenig/APMany states – including Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Jersey and Rhode Island – are also set to lift school mask mandates.

Source: The Guardian February 11, 2022 08:15 UTC