New York state will end mask mandates and adopt CDC guidelines for the fully vaccinated beginning Wednesday, but New York City’s health commissioner is still recommending masks indoors.” I do recommend continued mask use in many indoor settings until even more people are vaccinated,” he said. “And personally, while I am fully vaccinated, I’ll be keeping my mask indoors in almost all settings. When I put it on, I will be thinking about the sense of community and the social norms, particularly around masking and distancing, that helped us get to this very hopeful stage of the pandemic.”
The MTA held a press conference Tuesday encouraging people to return to mass transit and support local businesses at the same time. Masks will still be required in the transit system, indefinitely. “Our last survey showed 99% usage on the subways, which is a really great accomplishment,” Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer said. “So let’s keep up that good work and that momentum.” Governor Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Monday, but said immunocompromised people and unvaccinated people should wear a mask and social distance.
Covid-19 Cases Are the Lowest They’ve Been in Nearly a Year
“For the first time since the pandemic began, Covid cases are down in all 50 states,” White House senior Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt said in a Tuesday briefing. “We are winning the war on the virus, and we need you to help us finish the job.”His comments come as state leaders and public health officials express optimism about the country’s Covid-19 trends and where we could be by summertime. In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday the state’s seven-day positivity rate had dropped to the lowest level since the pandemic’s start. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced three new Covid-19 deaths Tuesday, the state’s lowest daily number in the pandemic.
Canada expected to pass US on first dose Covid vaccinations as demand declines among Americans. But among the messages of hope, officials are offering an important reminder: it’s not over just yet. In the past week, the US has averaged around 31,100 new cases and more than 600 Covid-19 deaths daily, according to Johns Hopkins data.