Why Democratic Governors Are Turning Against Mask Mandates

Asthaa Chaturvedi and

M.J. Davis Lin and

Brad FisherMarion Lozano and


One by one, blue states across the United States have been rolling back their Covid-19 restrictions, going against C.D.C. guidelines that are still backed by the White House.

Why are governors in states like California, Illinois and New York taking those actions? And what do they say about the shifting politics of the pandemic?


Lisa Lerer, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.

A subway station in Brooklyn this month. Voters have become increasingly impatient with coronavirus restrictions.
Gabby Jones for The New York Times
  • Democratic governors have been easing Covid rules in a loosely coordinated effort that is the result of months of public-health planning, back-channel discussions and political focus groups.

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  • The Biden administration said that federal masking guidance would not change for now, but officials are seeking advice from health experts on the way forward.

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Lisa Lerer contributed reporting.

The Daily is made by Lisa Tobin, Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Larissa Anderson, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Austin Mitchell, Dan Powell, Dave Shaw, Sydney Harper, Daniel Guillemette, Robert Jimison, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Kaitlin Roberts, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Anita Badejo, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Chelsea Daniel, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens and Rowan Niemisto.

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