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West Virginia Is Latest State Announcing End To Mask Mandate — But Others Aren’t Getting Rid Of Them Just Yet

This article is more than 2 years old.
Updated May 7, 2021, 04:57pm EDT

Topline

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Friday that the state will end its mask mandate in June, the latest state to move toward lifting their mask order as more residents become fully vaccinated against Covid-19—though other states have said they’re not ready to project when the orders will end, reflecting a brewing debate over mask mandates as vaccinations rise.

Key Facts

West Virginia’s mask mandate will remain in place until June 20, Justice said, and will be lifted then even if the state does not reach its target of vaccinating at least two-thirds of residents by that date.

The announcement came after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday the state’s indoor mask mandate would end by July 1, after other restrictions lift sooner on May 28.

Louisiana also lifted their statewide mask order on Wednesday, though local governments and businesses are empowered to impose their own mandates.

Other states have left mask mandates in place while lifting other restrictions, but have given a target for when they’ll be rescinded: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said the state’s mask order will go away when 70% of adults in the state are vaccinated, while North Carolina is aiming for two-thirds vaccinated to nix the mandate.

Virginia and New Jersey are among the states that have instead maintained they will keep mask measures in place for an indeterminate amount of time despite lifting other restrictions, with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam saying Thursday the state would follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy so far declining to rescind even the state’s outdoor mask order despite a change in CDC guidance.

In contrast to other states taking steps to loosen restrictions, Oregon extended their mask order for businesses in the state indefinitely on Tuesday as cases in the state and in Washington rise despite vaccinations.

Big Number

25. That’s the number of states, plus Washington, D.C., that still have mask orders in place as of Friday.

Key Background

Mask mandates have been a divisive and often partisan issue throughout the pandemic, and the question of whether they’re necessary has become a growing debate as more Americans get vaccinated. The CDC recently changed its guidance to say face coverings aren’t required outdoors in many circumstances—particularly for those who are fully vaccinated—in response to criticism that the guidance was unnecessary when Covid-19 appears to be far less transmissible outdoors. The agency still directs people to wear masks indoors, however, which has come under some criticism, with former Food and Drug Administration director Dr. Scott Gottlieb saying Thursday that indoor mask guidelines should be loosened “right around now.” “The only way to earn public credibility is to demonstrate that you're willing to relax these provisions when a situation improves,” Gottlieb said on CNBC, arguing that people will be more likely to follow mask mandates if there’s a resurgence in the future if public health officials rescind them now when the Covid-19 risk is lower. CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the continued guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans to wear masks indoors is justified, however, noting that many Americans still are not yet fully vaccinated and “it’s very hard to tease apart” who has and has not gotten the shot.

Further Reading

Ex-FDA Chief Gottlieb Says It’s Time To Relax Indoor Mask Rules — But The CDC Isn’t So Sure (Forbes)

Fully Vaccinated Americans No Longer Need To Wear Masks Outside Except In Crowded Settings, CDC Says (Forbes)

Wearing A Mask For Covid-19 Protection Is Scientific And Perfectly Normal (Forbes)

West Virginia to lift statewide mask mandate on June 20 (Associated Press)

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