越来越多的州开始取消口罩的强制要求新冠肺炎(新型冠状病毒肺炎)限制，因为美国人希望进入疫情的新阶段。

尽管疾病控制和预防中心不断进行抵制，还是做出了这个决定仍然建议戴口罩在大量或高传播的地区，以及在教育环境中，无论疫苗接种情况如何。

疾控中心主任罗谢尔·瓦伦斯基博士说:“我们还没有完全达到目标。”告诉WYPR电台本周。疾控中心“仍然建议所有学校鼓励学生在室内时始终佩戴合适的口罩。这与我们的指导意见一致，我们仍然建议人们在高传播或大量传播的公共室内环境中戴口罩。”

在全国范围内，近99%的美国县仍然报告社区传播率很高。

“为了我们的孩子，我们应该确保他们能够安全地留在学校。现在，这包括掩蔽。我们已经看到在学生没有在学校蒙面，不得不关闭的社区中发生的疫情。...我们的大部分指导是基于社区传播的数量，”瓦伦斯基补充道。

自周一以来，11个州宣布改变全州范围的口罩政策，一些州长开始结束室内和室外的普遍口罩规定，而其他州则取消了对学校的全州口罩要求:

加利福尼亚

通用室内口罩指令:2月15日到期

学校室内口罩授权:保持不变

加州州长加文·纽瑟姆周一在推特上宣布，加州的室内口罩授权将于2月15日到期，他援引该州感染率和住院率下降为由做出了这一决定。

然而，州长写道，未接种疫苗的人仍将被要求在室内戴口罩。

在该州宣布后，洛杉矶县卫生官员表示，他们将暂时保留该县的口罩授权。

 

赵杰夫/美联社档案

在科罗附近的一家健身中心，人们在室内健身时戴着口罩...

洛杉矶县卫生局局长芭芭拉·费雷尔博士周二表示，当每日住院人数连续七天低于2500人时，该县将取消户外“大型”活动的掩蔽要求。

为了取消室内口罩的规定，洛杉机县必须连续两周达到“中等”传播率，或者让6个月到4岁的儿童接种新冠肺炎疫苗至少8周。此外，卫生部门表示，不得出现威胁疫苗效力的新变种大量传播的报告。

周日在洛杉矶举办的LVI超级碗也需要口罩。

康涅狄格州

学校室内口罩授权:2月28日到期

周一，州长内德·拉蒙特宣布，从2月28日开始，康涅狄格州将不再要求在学校和儿童保育设施中使用口罩。

“我认为今天，有了助推器，有了疫苗，有了N95口罩，你就能更好地保护自己的安全。你的孩子处于更好的位置来保护他或她自己的安全，”拉蒙特说，他指出，结束授权的决定是在与邻国州长进行广泛讨论后做出的。

州官员说，在无家可归者收容所、教养机构和某些卫生保健机构中，口罩的规定仍然存在。

“我认为这是在正确的时间做出的正确决定，”拉蒙特补充道。“我们现在知道如何忍受这种情况，我认为它会更温和，影响也更小。”

特拉华河

通用室内口罩指令:2月11日到期

学校室内口罩授权:3月31日到期

本周早些时候，特拉华州宣布打算在2月11日取消该州的通用口罩授权。

“在新冠肺炎病例和住院人数激增的情况下，我们的处境比几周前好得多，”约翰·卡尼州长在周一的一份声明中表示。“我想明确这一点——COVID仍然在我们的社区中流传。这种病毒仍然有引发严重疾病的风险，尤其是在那些没有及时接种疫苗的人群中。但我们有工具保护我们自己和彼此的安全。”

州长还暂时延长了K-12学校和儿童保育设施的口罩要求，以努力给家长更多的时间让孩子接种疫苗。然而，这一要求预计将于3月31日到期。

伊利诺伊

通用室内口罩指令:2月28日到期

学校室内口罩授权:学校委任卷入法庭争斗

伊利诺伊州州长普利兹克本周宣布，预计该州将在本月底取消室内口罩授权。

普利兹克说:“我们有望以比医生预期的更好的状态出现在这场最新的COVID风暴的另一边。“如果这些趋势继续下去，我们预计会继续下去，那么在2月28日星期一，我们将取消伊利诺伊州的室内口罩要求。”

普利兹克强调，如果当地政府认为口罩对他们的新冠肺炎社区是正确的，那么实施口罩要求将是非常重要的。

卫生官员说，口罩仍然是“高度推荐的”，公共交通工具、国会和长期护理机构仍然需要口罩。

芝加哥周三宣布，如果该市的新冠肺炎指标继续下降，该市将计划在本月底取消新冠肺炎的限制。

目前，该州对学校的口罩要求仍被卷入一场法庭大战，此前上周，一项临时限制令已被纳入该命令。然而，州长发誓要继续为这一授权而战。

马萨诸塞州

学校室内口罩授权:2月28日到期

州长查理·贝克周三宣布，自2月28日起，马萨诸塞州将结束全州范围内的学校口罩授权。

贝克说:“鉴于年轻人面临的风险极低，疫苗的广泛供应和经证实的有效性，以及准确的测试方案和测试的分发，现在是时候给我们的孩子一种常态感，并在全州范围内取消学校的口罩规定了。“现在每个人都有保持安全的工具和知识。...是时候给我们的孩子一种正常的感觉了。”

州长将该州的高疫苗接种率作为其决定的部分理由。他补充说，马萨诸塞州接种疫苗的儿童比例位居全国第二。

本周早些时候，波士顿市长吴弭表示，在这个时候，该市的口罩授权，其中也包括学校，将保持不变。

“口罩的授权，我们还没有到拉的地步，”吴说。“我们就其他政策进行了很多对话。”

内华达州

通用室内口罩指令:2月10日到期

学校室内口罩授权:2月10日到期

内华达州州长史蒂夫·西索拉克(Steve Sisolak)周四宣布，他将取消该州的全民和学校口罩禁令，立即生效。

“有些人认为我们很久以前就准备好了，有些人认为我们还没有准备好，”西索拉克说。“我觉得现在是向前迈进的合适时机。”

在某些室内环境中，包括医院、诊所和长期护理机构，以及在公共汽车和校车上，仍然需要口罩。

州长宣布后，包括拉斯维加斯在内的克拉克县学区宣布，到周四当天结束时，学区校园将不再需要口罩。

新泽西州

学校室内口罩授权:3月7日到期

周一，新泽西州州长菲尔·墨菲(Phil Murphy)正式宣布，该州对学校和儿童保育设施的口罩禁令将于3月7日取消。

墨菲说:“鉴于奥米克隆的新病例和住院人数持续下降，我们可以负责任地采取这一步骤。“我们的现实与现在许多其他州有着天壤之别。”

根据墨菲的说法，新泽西州对学校和儿童保育设施的口罩指南将在未来一周更新，“以帮助学区就是否以及何时应该佩戴口罩做出最佳决定”。

纽约

通用室内口罩指令:2月10日到期

学校室内口罩授权:保持不变

周四，纽约取消了其通用室内口罩的授权。在无家可归者和家庭暴力庇护所、国家监管的医疗保健中心、国家经营的养老院、教养机构以及学校和日托中心，这一授权将继续有效。此外，口罩的使用将在公共交通工具上保持有效，包括公共汽车、火车、地铁和飞机。

Seth Wenig/美联社

2022年2月9日，人们戴着口罩走过纽约的室内购物区。

“这是我们一直在等待的，在漫长的两年后取得了巨大的进步，”州长凯西·霍楚尔在周二的新闻发布会上说。“我们对企业有口罩或vax要求...而在这个时候，我们说取消这一授权是正确的决定。”

此时，该州对学校的室内掩蔽要求将保持不变。霍楚尔说，在2月假期后，官员们将评估取消学校的强制令是否安全。

俄勒冈州

通用室内口罩指令:3月31日前到期

学校室内口罩授权:3月31日到期

俄勒冈州卫生局本周宣布，最迟将于3月31日取消该州对室内公共场所的通用口罩要求。

“到3月底，我们应该会看到新冠肺炎的住院人数下降，因为这么多俄勒冈人戴着口罩，采取其他措施保护自己和彼此，比如打预防针或给孩子接种疫苗。到那时，取消口罩要求会更安全，”卫生官员、州流行病学家迪恩·莱林格博士在周一的一份声明中说。

学校的口罩要求也将于3月31日取消。

罗得岛

通用室内口罩指令:2月11日到期

学校室内口罩授权:3月4日到期

罗德岛州州长丹·麦基本周宣布，其针对某些室内公共场所的口罩或疫苗接种协议证明将于2月11日取消。

麦基在周三的新闻发布会上说:“我们知道，作为一个州和一个国家，我们必须学会如何管理COVID，因为我们从疫情进入了病毒的流行阶段。

该州的学校口罩授权将延长至3月4日，届时学校口罩政策将由各个学区决定。

“我们可以安全地进行这一转变，这也将使我们与其他新英格兰州保持一致，”麦基补充道。“在接下来的几周内，在这一变化生效之前，我们预计数字将继续下降，这使我们处于一个强有力的地位，可以过渡到当地对学校口罩的决策。”

麦基说，官员们希望给学区额外的时间，让家长给孩子接种疫苗。

华盛顿

通用户外面罩指令:2月18日到期

通用室内口罩指令:仍然有效

学校室内口罩授权:仍然有效

华盛顿州长杰伊·因斯利(Jay Inslee)周三宣布，在感染率下降后，该州将取消户外口罩的授权。

然而，在这个时候，国家的室内掩蔽命令将继续有效。

“今天不是取消所有掩蔽要求的日子，”因斯利在新闻发布会上说。“会的，我们什么时候能做到这一点，不再是‘如果’的问题，而是‘什么时候’的问题。”"

州长说，他预计下周会有关于室内口罩的进一步指导。

Nearly a dozen states move to end masking mandates as COVID-19 infection rates fall

A growing number of states are moving to drop mask mandates andCOVID-19restrictions, as Americans hope to move into a new phase of the pandemic.

The decision comes despite continued push back from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whichstill recommend that masks be wornin areas of substantial or high transmission, and in educational settings, regardless of vaccination status.

"We're not quite there yet," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walenskytold radio station WYPRthis week. The CDC "still recommends that all schools encourage students to wear well-fitting masks consistently and while indoors. And that's consistent with our guidance that still also recommends that people mask in public indoor settings in areas of high or substantial transmission."

Nationwide, nearly 99% of U.S. counties are still reporting high community transmission.

"We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We've seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close. ... And much of our guidance is based on the amount of community transmission," Walensky added.

Since Monday, 11 states have announced changes to their statewide masking policies, with some governors moving to end universal indoor and outdoor mask mandates, while others have lifted statewide face-covering requirements for schools:

California

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expires on Feb. 15

School indoor mask mandate: Remains in place

California's indoor mask mandate is set to expire Feb. 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Twitter Monday, citing declining infection and hospitalization rates across the state for his decision.

However, unvaccinated people will still be required to wear masks indoors, the governor wrote.

Following the announcement from the state, Los Angeles County health officials said they would keep the county's mask mandate in place for the time being.

LA County Department of Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said on Tuesday that the county's masking requirement will be lifted for outdoor "mega" events when daily hospitalizations drop below 2,500 for seven consecutive days.

In order for the indoor mask mandate to be lifted, Los Angeles County must reach a "moderate" rate of transmission for two consecutive weeks, or for the COVID-19 vaccine to be made available to children ages 6 months to 4 years for at least eight weeks. In addition, the health department said there must be no emerging reports of significantly circulating new variants that threaten vaccine efficacy.

Masks will also be required at Sunday's Super Bowl LVI, hosted in Los Angeles.

Connecticut

School indoor mask mandate: Expires on Feb. 28

On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that beginning Feb. 28, the state of Connecticut would no longer require masking in schools and child care facilities.

"I think today, with boosters, given vaccines, given the N95 masks, you're in a better position to keep yourself safe. Your child is in a better position to keep him or herself safe," said Lamont, who noted that the decision to end the mandate followed extensive discussions with neighboring governors.

Mask mandates will still exist in homeless shelters, corrections facilities and in certain health care facilities, state officials said.

"I think this is the right decision at the right time," Lamont added. "We now know how to live with this, I think it's going to be milder and less impactful."

Delaware

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expires on Feb. 11

School indoor mask mandate: Expires on March 31

Earlier this week, Delaware announced it intends to lift the state's universal mask mandate on Feb. 11.

"We're in a much better place than we were several weeks ago in the middle of the Omicron surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations," Gov. John Carney said in a statement on Monday. "I want to be clear about this point -- COVID is still circulating in our communities. And the virus still poses a risk of serious illness, particularly among those who are not up to date on their vaccinations. But we have the tools to keep ourselves and each other safe."

The governor has also temporarily extended the mask requirement for K-12 schools and child care facilities in an effort to give parents more time ​to get their children vaccinated. However, that requirement is expected to expire March 31.

Illinois

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expires by Feb. 28

School indoor mask mandate: School mandate embroiled in court battle

Illinois is expected to lift its indoor mask mandate by the end of the month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced this week.

"We are on track to come out on the other side of this latest COVID storm in better shape than even the doctors expected," Pritzker said. "If these trends continue, and we expect them to, then on Monday, Feb. 28, we will lift the indoor mask requirement for the state of Illinois."

Pritzker stressed it will be important for local jurisdictions to implement mask requirements, if they feel that is right for their COVID-19 community.

Health officials said that masks are still "highly recommended," and face coverings will still be required on public transportation, and in congregant and long-term care facilities.

Chicago announced on Wednesday that should the city's COVID-19 metrics continue to decline, the city will plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions at the end of the month.

At this time, the state's mask requirement for schools remains embroiled in a court battle, after a temporary restraining order was placed on the mandate last week. However, the governor has vowed to keep fighting for the mandate.

Massachusetts

School indoor mask mandate: Expires on Feb. 28

Effective Feb. 28, Massachusetts will end its statewide school mask mandate, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Wednesday.

"Given the extremely low risk for young people, the widespread availability and the proven effectiveness of vaccines and the distribution of accurate test protocols and tests, it is time to give our kids a sense of normalcy and lift the mask mandate on a statewide basis for schools," Baker said. "Everyone now has the tools and the knowledge to stay safe. ... It's time to give our kids a sense of normalcy."

The governor cited the state's high vaccination rate as part of the reasoning behind his decision. He added that Massachusetts ranks second in the nation for the highest share of vaccinated children.

Earlier this week, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said that at this time, the city's mask mandate, which also includes schools, will remain in place.

"The mask mandate, we are not yet there in terms of pulling," Wu said. "We had lots of conversations about other policies in place."

Nevada

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expired on Feb 10

School indoor mask mandate: Expired on Feb 10

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced on Thursday that he would lift both the state's universal and school mask mandates, effective immediately.

"Some people think we were ready long ago, some people think we're not ready yet," Sisolak said. "I feel now is the appropriate time to move forward."

Masks will still be required in certain indoor settings, including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, as well as in on public and school buses.

Following the governor's announcement, the Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas, announced that by the end of the day on Thursday, masks would no longer be required on district campuses.

New Jersey

School indoor mask mandate: Expires on March 7

On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy formally announced that the state's mask mandate for schools and child care facilities would be lifted March 7.

"We can responsibly take this step given the continuing drop in new cases and hospitalizations from omicron," said Murphy. "Our reality is dramatically different than a lot of other states right now."

New Jersey's mask guidance for schools and child care facilities will be updated in the coming week "to help school districts make the best decisions as to whether and when masks should be worn," according to Murphy.

New York

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expired on Feb. 10

School indoor mask mandate: Remains in place

On Thursday, New York lifted its universal indoor mask mandate. The mandate will remain in effect at homeless and domestic violence shelters, state-regulated health care centers, state-run nursing homes, correctional facilities and in schools and day cares. In addition, mask use will remain in effect on public transportation, including buses, trains, subways and planes.

"This is what we've been waiting for, tremendous progress after two long years," Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a press conference on Tuesday. "We had a mask or vax requirement for businesses ... and at this time we say it is the right decision to lift this mandate."

At this time, the state's indoor masking requirement for schools will remain in place. After the February break, officials will make an assessment on whether it is safe for the mandate in schools to be rescinded, Hochul said.

Oregon

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expires by March 31

School indoor mask mandate: Expires on March 31

The Oregon Health Authority announced this week it would remove the state's general mask requirements for indoor public places by March 31, at the latest.

"We should see COVID-19 hospitalizations drop by the end of March because so many Oregonians are wearing masks and taking other steps to protect themselves and each other, such as getting a booster shot or vaccinating their children. At that point, it will be safer to lift mask requirements," Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist, said in a statement on Monday.

Mask requirements for schools will also be lifted on March 31.

Rhode Island

Universal indoor mask mandate: Expires on Feb. 11

School indoor mask mandate: Expires on March 4

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee announced this week that its mask or proof of vaccination protocol for certain indoor public settings would be lifted Feb. 11.

"We know that as a state and a country, we have to learn how to manage COVID, as we move from a pandemic to an endemic stage of the virus," McKee said during a press conference on Wednesday.

The state's school mask mandate will be extended until March 4, when school masking policies will be decided by individual school districts.

"We can safely make this shift, which will also put us in line with other New England states," McKee added. "Over the next several weeks, before this change takes effect, we expect that numbers will continue to decline, putting us in a strong position to transition to local decision-making on school masks."

McKee said that officials want to give school districts additional time for parents to get their children vaccinated.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Wednesday that the state would lift its outdoor mask mandate, following declining infection rates.

However, at this time, the state's indoor masking mandate will remain in effect.

"Today is not the day to lift all of the masking requirements," Inslee said during a press conference. "It will be, and when we can do this, it is no longer a matter of 'if,' it is a question of 'when.'"

The governor said he expects to have further guidance on indoor mask mandates next week.