States reorient to new mask guidance

By Friday, more than a dozen states had plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s lead saying fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks in almost all situations. Nearly 47 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and almost 36 percent are fully vaccinated.

Can I stop wearing a mask after getting a shot? After the CDC released its new recommendations on Thursday, it was up to states and local jurisdictions to decide whether to revise their mandates. Some states and cities have opted to keep general masking requirements in place, including California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. A few major businesses have also decided to still require face coverings for now.

Dig deeper: Read Emily Belz’s report about how the pandemic prompted new questions about how America cares for the elderly.