AARP Newsletter
written by Andy Markowitz
Monday March 14, 2022
Hawaii is the only state that still requires most people to wear face coverings in indoor public places. The order applies regardless of an individual's vaccination status. It is set to end March 26.
Almost all state and local governments that extended or reimposed mask orders amid last summer's delta variant surge and the emergence of the omicron variant in late 2021 have loosened or dropped those rules as the omicron wave subsides.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also revised its face-covering guidance in late February and now recommends indoor masking for all only in communities deemed to be at high risk for COVID-19 based on hospitalizations, local hospital capacity and new infections. (You can check your area's risk level on the CDC's website.)
The federal government continues to require face-covering on public transportation and commercial flights, and in indoor areas of transit hubs such as airports and bus and train stations, through at least April 18.
Over the course of the pandemic, 39 states have at some point had orders broadly requiring residents to wear masks in public. Eleven states have not imposed mandates at any point, and some, including Florida, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee and Texas, have moved via legislation or executive action to prevent local governments and school districts from doing so.
Here’s where each state stands on the use of face masks as of March 14.
I'm using US News, These States Have COVID-19 Mask Mandates information:
California: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Gov. Gavin Newsom initiated a mask mandate for Californians on June 18, 2020, which was later updated to order face coverings be worn whenever individuals are outside of the home. Newsom in April 2021 announced that the state would align with the CDC’s outdoor masking recommendations, saying that those who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask outdoors unless they are in a large crowd. On June 15, 2021 California’s mask mandate again aligned with the CDC’s mask guidance for vaccinated individuals, allowing those who were vaccinated to forgo wearing a mask in most settings. But on Dec. 15, masks once again became mandatory indoors statewide amid uncertainty surrounding the omicron variant. On Feb. 16, the mandate was lifted for vaccinated individuals in most indoor settings. On March 1, 2022, the mandate was lifted for everyone.
District of Columbia (DC): No Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Mayor)
Mayor Muriel Bowser initiated a mask mandate on July 22, 2020, stipulating that all individuals must wear a mask at businesses, in common areas of apartments, and when maintaining a distance of 6 feet is not possible outdoors. The order followed a May 2020 mandate requiring face coverings in essential business and during essential travel when the District was under a stay-at-home order. On April 30, 2021, Bowser signed an executive order that allowed people who are vaccinated to gather outdoors in small groups without masks, or with unvaccinated people who are wearing masks. On May 17, fully vaccinated individuals were ordered to wear masks only in places where it was required, including health care settings, schools, at businesses where masks are mandatory and on public transportation. After the CDC reversed its mask guidance for vaccinated individuals, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the mask mandate would return for everyone while indoors, regardless of vaccination status, effective July 31. And on Nov. 22, the mandate was lifted. But on Dec. 21, the mandate returned amid the omicron variant. It was again lifted on March 1, 2022.
I ADDED https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaxdc: Beginning February 15, 2022, indoor venues will no longer be required to verify that patrons are vaccinated.
Illinois: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker put a mask mandate into place effective May 1, 2020, requiring that individuals in the state wear a face covering in public indoor spaces, and when expecting to come into contact with non-household members within 6 feet. Children 2 years and under are exempt from the mandate, as are individuals with certain medical conditions. On May 17, 2021, Pritzker aligned the state's mask mandate with CDC guidelines, allowing those who are vaccinated to go without masks in most situations. On July 27, the state adopted the CDC’s latest guidance, recommending that people once again wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in areas where COVID-19 is surging. On Aug. 4, Pritzker introduced a mask mandate for all students in schools, regardless of vaccination status. Effective Aug. 30, masks were once again required in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. On February 28, 2022, the (vaccine and mask) mandate was lifted (I ADDED including Chicago).
Mississippi: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Republican Governor)
After a statewide mask mandate expired in October 2020, Gov. Tate Reeves imposed mandates on a county basis. But starting on March 3, 2022, mask mandates will be lifted in all Mississippi counties. Individuals are still encouraged to wear face coverings, Reeves said, but are not ordered to do so.
Nevada: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Starting June 25, 2020, individuals in the state were required to wear a face covering in any public space. New restrictions were put in place Nov. 22, mandating that face coverings must be worn when there is any contact with a non-household member, including private gatherings, whether inside or outside. On May 3, 2021, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that those who are vaccinated may gather indoors with others who are fully vaccinated without masks, and may participate in some outdoor activities without a mask as well, following CDC guidelines for vaccinated individuals. On May 13, Sisolak announced that the state would likewise follow the CDC's guidelines for vaccinated individuals indoors, eliminating mask requirements for those who are vaccinated in most indoor settings. The state on July 27 announced a new mask mandate, in line with CDC guidance, making masks mandatory in indoor public spaces in counties with high COVID-19 transmission rates for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, effective July 30. On February 10, 2022, the mask mandate was lifted.
New Mexico: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham initiated a face-covering mandate, effective May 16, 2020, ordering individuals in the state to wear a face covering when in public spaces. In July, restrictions were extended to gyms, as well, and a fine was put in place for violations of the mandate. On May 14, 2021, the state aligned its mask mandate with the CDC's latest guidance, allowing those who are fully vaccinated to go without masks in most indoor and outdoor settings. Lujan Grisham reinstated a statewide mask mandate for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, effective Aug. 20. On February 17, 2022, the mask mandate was lifted.
New York: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
On April 17, 2020, a face-covering mandate was put in place in the state in all public spaces when unable to maintain physical-distancing measures. Former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo later announced new mask-mandate guidelines, in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations, allowing vaccinated individuals to forgo wearing masks in some outdoor settings, and effective May 19, 2021, those who are vaccinated were no longer required to wear a mask in most settings, including indoors. But starting Dec. 13, masks again became required for everyone in indoor spaces where proof of full vaccination is not required. And effective February 10, 2022, the mask mandate was lifted.
Oregon: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Since July 1, 2020, individuals throughout the state had been required to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces, and that was later expanded to outdoor spaces. Effective April 29, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals were no longer required to wear masks outdoors, except for in crowded areas or at large gatherings. On May 13, Gov. Kate Brown announced that the state would follow the CDC's mask guidelines for those who are vaccinated, allowing vaccinated individuals to forgo wearing a mask in most indoor spaces. On June 30, the state's mask mandate was lifted. Brown announced that masks would once again be required in indoor public spaces starting Aug. 13, regardless of vaccination status. As of Aug. 27, masks became required in outdoor settings where physical distancing was not possible, regardless of vaccination status. On Nov. 23, the outdoor mandate lifted. And on March 12, 2022, the indoor mandate was lifted as well.
Rhode Island: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Starting May 8, 2020, individuals throughout the state were required to wear face coverings in all public spaces. Former-Gov. Gina Raimondo built upon that mandate in November 2020, ordering face coverings to be worn at all times when a non-household member is present, including while outdoors. Gov. Dan McKee announced that the mandate would be relaxed starting May 7, 2021, maintaining mask requirements indoors but not outdoors where people can keep at least 3 feet of distance from others. On May 18, McKee aligned the state’s mask mandate with the CDC’s guidance, allowing those who are fully vaccinated to go without a mask in most indoor settings. In early July, the state’s mask mandate ended altogether. But starting Dec. 20, masks were once again required inside venues with a capacity of 250 or more regardless of vaccination status, while masking or proof of vaccination was required in smaller establishments. On February 11, 2022, the (vax and mask) mandate expired.
Covid.RI.gov: The Executive Order requiring indoor masking in public K-12 schools expired on March 4, 2022.
Washington: No State Mandate (Commie NWO Democrat Governor)
Since June 26, 2020, individuals in the state were required to wear face coverings when in indoor public spaces and in outdoor public spaces when maintaining a 6-foot distance from others was not possible. Children under 5 years of age were exempt from the mandate, along with individuals with certain medical conditions. Gov. Jay Inslee on May 13, 2021, announced that the state would align with the CDC's recommendations allowing those who are vaccinated to go without a mask in most indoor and outdoor settings. Effective Aug. 23, Inslee reinstated the mask mandate for everyone in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Starting Sept. 13, masks were required at outdoor events with 500 people or more. On March 12, 2022, the mask mandate was lifted.
ABC News
written by Arielle Mitropoulos
Tuesday March 8, 2022
Officials in every U.S. state and jurisdiction have now ended, or announced an end, to their indoor universal masking requirements.
Over the last month, states from coast to coast have moved to end mask mandates as coronavirus cases have plummeted. By the end of March, there will be no more statewide or school mask mandates in effect.
Although some districts may opt to still mandate mask use, many schools have already decided to drop the requirement.
On Tuesday, Hawaii, the nation's lone indoor mask holdout, became the last state to end its universal mask mandate, effective March 25 at 11:59 p.m.
“We’re committed to moving the state forward and learning to live with COVID,” Gov. David Ige said during a press conference.
However, the Hawaii Department of Education wrote in a press release that face coverings will still be required indoors in Hawaii schools.
Officials in Washington, D.C., also announced on Tuesday that they are recommending that most people no longer wear masks indoors or outdoors at educational facilities, unless COVID-19 community levels are high.
If COVID-19 community levels are medium, people who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe COVID-19 are encouraged to wear a mask, or respirator, indoors, the new guidance states.
However, for many students, the change will not go into effect immediately, as D.C. public school officials said on Tuesday that they are still considering next steps.
"For the immediate future, masks are still required indoors at all DC Public Schools for students, staff, and visitors. We will engage our union partners on next steps and continue to communicate with the DCPS community about any decisions that are made," Lewis Ferebee, chancellor of D.C. public schools wrote in a tweet following the announcement.
The moves came shortly after Puerto Rico announced that it too would drop its universal requirement on Monday.
In addition, on March 11, Oregon and Washington will end their universal and school mask mandates, while California will also drop its school mask requirement.
The mass ending of mask requirements comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations for mask use and unveiled their new plan for determining COVID-19 risk in communities.
Under the new risk levels, approximately 90% of the U.S. population now lives in areas deemed to have low or medium threats to their local hospitals, and thus can stop wearing masks.
"Americans in most of the country can now be mask-free," White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said in a briefing on the plan last week.
Many health officials have cautioned, however, that should there be a viral resurgence, mask requirements may have to return.
The New York Times
written by Jill Cowan
Thursday March 3, 2022
Los Angeles County is lifting nearly all of its indoor mask and vaccine verification requirements, local officials said.
The change, in effect on Friday, drops mask requirements in public settings like grocery stores, restaurants and bars. It also removes the need to show proof of vaccination or negative test results to enter indoor bars, wineries or most other businesses.
California state rules still require proof of vaccination or negative test results to enter large indoor events, as well as masks on transit and in other high-risk settings, including hospitals.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, cited new federal guidelines for measuring risk in communities in her office’s decision to remove restrictions sooner than expected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated measures, she said, Los Angeles County is in the low-risk category.
Still, Dr. Ferrer said that masks were strongly recommended, and that individual businesses could opt to keep in place requirements.
“Covid-19 is a deadly virus, and it’s still with us — it ebbs and flows,” she said. “We need to take advantage of the good times we’re about to be in, where we’re seeing much less risk across the board for so many, and be prepared, should we see a new variant.”
Although the city of Los Angeles will, for the time being, still require bars, restaurants and many other indoor businesses to check vaccine status, the moment is a major symbolic milestone for Angelenos who have weathered some of the nation’s deadliest surges and have lived under some of the nation’s most enduring restrictions.
Dr. Ferrer has been a particular voice of caution, even as her department has faced frustration from residents who believed stringent rules were unnecessary.
In recent weeks, though, Dr. Ferrer, along with other public health officials across the country, has shifted her focus toward measures to prevent surges, hospitalizations and deaths.
She said the county would continue to help residents get vaccinated, and that her department would continue to track case data closely to intervene before outbreaks at schools or businesses spiral out of control. Dr. Ferrer emphasized that the county would work to ensure that all communities have equitable access to therapeutics for people who get sick with Covid-19.
On Monday, the governors of California, Oregon and Washington jointly announced that on March 12, they would lift statewide mask requirements in schools, which were some of the last remaining statewide restrictions. And California officials lifted a mask mandate for unvaccinated people in indoor public spaces on Tuesday.
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