Technologies

CDC Mask Policy Change: What Happens to State COVID Mandates Now?

The CDC’s updated guidance for indoor masking comes as Hawaii is set to be the only state still requiring indoor masks for everyone.

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new recommendations for wearing masks indoors to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. More specifically, the CDC changed the metrics it uses to determine COVID community levels, on which its masking recommendations hinge.

While the agency previously measured new COVID cases and local positivity rate, the agency now considers three new metrics — new hospitalizations, ICU bed occupancy rate and new COVID cases. The CDC’s decision reduces the number of Americans living in counties with high COVID levels from a large majority to a considerable minority of less than 30%.

You can look up your own county’s community COVID level on the CDC’s Community Levels by County Tracker. The CDC still advises that people at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19 take extra precautions, regardless of their community COVID level.

These updated masking recommendations also apply to schools and come at a time when many states and cities are lifting their masking requirements for indoor spaces. New Mexico, California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nevada, New York and Illinois all ended their indoor mask mandates in the past few weeks. Many places are also dropping or have announced ends to school mask mandates.

The CDC’s new guidelines for community COVID levels will not immediately affect the federal mask mandates. Americans will still be required to wear face coverings on public transportation, including airlines, until at least March 18. The Biden administration has not yet indicated whether or not it intends to extend that mandate.

Read on to learn more about the CDC’s new mask guidance and which states and cities still require masks indoors. For more, read about out our top face mask picks, the best masks for children and the face mask myths putting people at risk.

What are the CDC’s new mask recommendations?

The CDC still recommends that people in areas with high levels of COVID-19 transmission wear masks indoors. What’s changed is the way CDC determines a high level of community transmission. Instead of looking simply at new cases and positivity rates, the agency is now taking a more «holistic» approach that evaluates the total impact of COVID-19 on the local community.

The agency is now factoring hospitalizations and the number of available ICU beds into its calculations for determining the impact of COVID-19 on communities. As the omicron variant surge lessens and studies continue to show less severe illness from the omicron variant, hospitalization rates have plummeted even faster than case rates.

The CDC has said that people outdoors generally do not need to wear masks, regardless of community COVID level, unless they are in extended close contact with other people.

Which states recently ended masking requirements?

As COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations drop sharply, state masking requirements are quickly ending.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Feb. 17 that the state’s mask mandate has been lifted.

California’s indoor masking requirements for vaccinated people ended on Feb. 15, though unvaccinated people are still required to wear face coverings indoors.

Rhode Island announced an immediate end to mask-or-vaccine requirements for indoor spaces on Feb. 11, the same day Delaware Gov. John Carney lifted the state’s universal mask mandate.

«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,» Carney, a Democrat, said in a statement.

New York ended its mask mandates for everyone on Feb. 10, though cities, counties and individual businesses can still enforce mask-or-vaccine requirements, but it’s no longer required by state law.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak lifted the state’s public and school mask requirements the same day.

«Masks are still a great tool we have to slow the spread of the virus,» Sisolak said in a statement. «The state will no longer require masks in public places, but employers and organizations — including school districts — may set their own policies.»

Illinois plans to end its statewide indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28, Gov. Bill Pritzer said, citing the state’s sharp drop in hospitalizations.

The Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services said it expected an end to masking requirements in the state «no later than March 31.»

Massachusetts currently still requires masks in certain situations — including on public transportation and in health care facilities and nursing homes. On Feb. 15, state public health officials updated their advisory from encouraging everyone to wear masks indoors to recommending face coverings for unvaccinated individuals and vaccinated persons with specific medical conditions.

Washington has already lifted its outdoor mask requirement, and Gov. Jay Inslee said he will end all remaining masking requirements on March 21.

With the end of Illinois’ mask mandate on Feb. 28 and requirements from Oregon and Washington expiring in March, Hawaii is poised to become the only US state requiring masks indoors.

Which states still require masks indoors?

Four US states and four territories currently require masks in indoor settings like restaurants, bars and gyms:

Illinois
Hawaii
Oregon
Washington
District of Columbia
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
Guam

As noted above, Illinois‘ statewide mask rules end Feb. 28, as do similar requirements in Washington, DC.

Washington’s masking requirements for most indoor venues are slated to expire on March 21.

The Oregon Health Authority has said it expects to lift the state’s indoor mask mandate no later than March 31.

California and Connecticut only require unvaccinated people to wear masks indoors.

For more updates, the AARP has a state-by-state rundown of mask mandates across the US.

Which states have school mask mandates?

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Washington
District of Columbia
Guam
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands

Statewide mask requirements in schools in Massachusetts and Connecticut are ending on Feb. 28.

Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee indicated that indoor masking in public K-12 schools will end on March 4, though local municipalities can implement their own masking policies.

New Jersey announced it would lift mask requirements for students and school employees on March 7.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said school masking requirements will expire on March 21, along with the public masking mandate.

The Oregon Health Authority said the state will stop mask requirements in schools «no later than March 31,» the day they’re slated to end in Delaware schools.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not ended masking rules for schools, but they have been suspended following a vote by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Pritzker, a Democrat, has indicated he plans to ask the state Supreme Court to review that decision.

In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan has called on the State Board of Education to rescind its mask requirement for all students and staff in public schools. Local school systems, however, can vote to make masks optional once 80% of eligible residents are vaccinated.

The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities regularly updates its list of states that have mask mandates, as well as those with bans on mask requirements.

What is the federal mask mandate?

In December, due to concerns around the more virulent omicron variant, the Biden administration extended its mask mandate for those traveling by trains, buses and airplanes. Originally intended to expire on Jan. 18, the measure is now set to end on March 18.

The White House has not said if it plans to extend the federal mask mandate further.

What is the World Health Organization’s position on masks?

The World Health Organization’s current guidance is that wearing a well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth is recommended indoors in areas with poor ventilation or where social distancing cannot be maintained, «irrespective of vaccination status or history of prior infection.»

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Technologies

The Apple Watch Series 11 Could Share the Stage at Next Week’s Event

The Series 11 will likely headline, but rumors and iOS clues point to additional models joining the lineup at Apple’s September 9 launch event.

All eyes are on Apple’s September 9 «Awe Dropping» event, where a fresh batch of Apple Watches is expected to take center stage alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup. While the Series 11 will almost certainly headline, Apple may have already tipped its hand on the next Ultra. Imagery found in the iOS 26 public beta (first spotted by MacRumors ) shows display specs that don’t match any current model, and the two-year update cycle only strengthens the case that the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on the horizon.

With the clues stacking up, here’s a look at everything we know, suspect and can reasonably expect from Apple’s 2025 smartwatch lineup.

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How many Apple Watches will we get?

Based on the usual update cycle and now the latest clues in iOS 26, we’re at least getting a flagship (Series 11) and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 as revealed by a reference in Watch OS 26. Also likely is the possibility of getting a next-gen SE model, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Apple analyst Mark Gurman. The Apple Watch Ultra and the cheaper SE line haven’t exactly followed a predictable upgrade cycle but last year’s absence could prove a strong clue that 2025 could be the year that we get all three again.

According to Gurman, the new Ultra and Series 11 are mostly expected to look the same, while the SE could get a refreshed exterior. The Ultra could also get satellite connectivity and 5G RedCap network access that would bring even the most remote adventures «on the grid.»

Apple Watch Series 11 price and availability

Traditionally, new models go on sale anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks after the keynote. This year, that could mean preorders opening on Friday, Sept. 12, with availability starting the following Friday, Sept. 19. That said, recent years have seen delays because of production issues and it’s still unclear how newly imposed tariffs might affect the launch timing and pricing in 2025. For context: the Series 10 starts at $399 for the base model, while the Ultra 2 comes in at $799. The other question is what the most expensive variant will be — solid gold, diamond-encrusted Hermès, anyone?

Apple Watch Series 11 design

The Series 11 is expected to keep the slim, flat-edged design introduced on the Series 10 (42mm and 46mm), but Apple’s new Corning partnership means all of the glass protecting the display will be made in the US. Not only does the news make for a great marketing bullet; it could also hint at improved durability, sustainability benefits and, potentially, faster repair turnarounds if replacement glass is sourced domestically.

If the leaked iOS 26 imagery holds true, the Ultra 3 will also have a similar design and slightly larger screen with a 422×514-pixel resolution (up from the Ultra 2’s 410×502 pixels). This could be achieved by slimming down the bezels while keeping the same overall case size, in keeping with Apple’s tradition of maximizing screen real estate without making the already-large Ultra any bulkier.

According to MacRumors, the Apple Watch could also get a more energy-efficient screen, maybe an improved LTPO display with higher resolution and better brightness, which, on paper, could help improve the battery life. This could be reserved for the higher-end Ultra 3, which will likely otherwise keep its original design.

Meanwhile the more affordable SE could see a more extensive design overhaul; it would keep the body of the Series 8 and, according to Gurman, get several upgrades from the Series 10, like an always-on display.

Apple Watch Series 11 processor

Apple typically bumps up the processor with every new smartwatch, so we should see an Apple S11 chip this time around for at least the Series 11 and Ultra 3. The Ultra 3 is also rumored to get satellite connectivity and 5G support, but according to Gurman, these features likely won’t make it to the Series 11. Considering last gen’s upgrade cycle, my personal bet would also be on the SE getting a processor bump up to the S9 chip, currently found in the Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9.

Apple Watch Series 11 battery

If there’s one thing on everyone’s wishlist, it’s better battery life. The Series 10 introduced faster charging — 0% to 80% in just 30 minutes compared with 90 minutes on previous models — but there’s room for improvement in battery capacity itself.

While there aren’t any rumors indicating that new Apple Watches will get a longer battery life, I truly hope Apple addresses the battery because its smartwatches are falling behind. Some Android models use dual chipsets to divide tasks and optimize battery life. I’d like to see Apple adopt a similar strategy and finally push battery life to two full days on a single charge for regular models. I hope the Ultra, which currently gets a full 72 hours on a charge, gets the faster charging of the Series 10 and pushes its battery life limits beyond three days.

Apple Watch health and fitness upgrades

There’s been a persistent rumor about blood pressure tracking finally making its way to the Apple Watch, but it’s unclear when it will be ready. According to a March report from Gurman, Apple has already been testing the feature in its smartwatch but has run into problems. Other wearables health companies like Omron and Med-Watch have proven it’s possible to measure blood pressure from the wrist, but adding this feature would likely require new sensors and a bulkier design. It would also be less precise than dedicated health devices like Omron’s and measure baseline metrics like the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra (which isn’t supported on Samsung watches in the US).

Blood pressure and glucose monitoring have also been thrown in the mix but the latter might not be fully baked for this cycle, according to Gurman.

A WatchOS glow-up on the Series 11

Apple also gave us a preview of the new interface for the Apple Watch with WatchOS 26 at its developers conference in June. The new UI update includes a new «Liquid Glass» display with glassy, transparent design language that mimics the one seen in visionOS.

The redesign features clear overlays for icons and notifications, resulting in a more uniform look and feel across Apple’s ecosystem. Google made a similar move with its redesigned UI, Material 3 Expressive, for Android phones and smartwatches with Wear OS 6.

Want a full breakdown of everything Apple announced, including the new iOS 26 and its eye-catching Liquid Glass design? Here’s everything you missed at WWDC 2025.

Health and fitness coaching

WatchOS 26 also introduced an AI-powered Workout Buddy to the Apple Watch, offering encouragement and real-time feedback during specific workouts. Most of the heavy lifting will happen on the iPhone, meaning the feature requires pairing the watch with a newer Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. The Series 11 (and Ultra 3) could push this further by leveraging their more powerful chipset.

This could include coaching that goes beyond just the workout app, potentially debuting on the Series 11 and then also rolling out to compatible Apple Watches. According to Gurman, Apple has been working on a major Health app revamp, code-named Project Mulberry, that would bring AI recommendations and actionable health and fitness insights to users. The new «Health Plus» app would likely arrive as part of an iOS 19 update, working in tandem with WatchOS 11 to gather and process data.

Health coaching is something other competitors, like Garmin and Fitbit, offer through their platforms via premium (paid) subscriptions. It’s not clear whether Apple would charge extra for these features, or if they’d be baked into the standard Health app at no additional cost.

Additional future Apple Watch surprises

There’s another rumor floating around that the Apple Watch could get a camera — not for selfies, but for AI-based image recognition. With the release of Apple Intelligence, Apple introduced a visual search tool on the iPhone that uses the camera to provide relevant information about objects and places.

According to a report by Gurman, Apple is exploring this option, and even if the company decides to move forward with the technology, it likely wouldn’t make its way to the Apple Watch until the 2027 models. While it’s not expected for this launch, it could hint what kind of AI integration will arrive with WatchOS 12. By contrast, WatchOS 11 lacks any Apple Intelligence features.

An even further-fetched clue hints at a foldable Apple Watch with two cameras. A recent Apple patent, first uncovered by Patently Apple, and published by the US Patent and Trademark Office in March, details an Apple Watch design featuring a foldable screen and another with a dual-screen display that either folds or slides out. The additional screens could give the Apple Watch more real estate to expand its functionality and make it less reliant on the iPhone. The same patent also points to the possibility of two cameras on this dual-screened watch for either AI processing or video calls. Apple often files patents well before any related technology appears in an actual product, so even if this concept does live to see the light of day, we’re not expecting it to make its public debut anytime soon.

Technologies

Major Amazon Prime Benefit Faces Crackdown Next Month

Amazon plans to end its Prime Invitee program soon. Here’s how this could affect your deliveries.

If you’re using a friend or family member’s free Prime shipping and you don’t live in the same household, you might need to pay another monthly cost. According to Amazon’s updated customer service page, first reported by The Verge, the retail giant is ending its Prime Invitee benefit-sharing program on Oct. 1.

Amazon isn’t the first company to prevent membership sharing between family and friends. The e-commerce giant is just the latest to follow Netflix’s account-sharing crackdown. We also saw it done with Disney-Plus last year. While it’s unclear whether this change will work for Amazon, Netflix gained over 200,000 subscribers following its policy change.

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Amazon’s Prime Invitee program is being replaced by Amazon Family, which includes many of the same benefits. However, Amazon Family only works for up to two adults and four children living in the same «primary residential address» — a shared home. While you’ll still be able to use free shipping to send gifts elsewhere, your Prime Invitees will no longer be able to use the perk.

Read more: More Than Just Free Shipping: Here Are 19 Underrated Amazon Prime Perks

What this means for you

If you’re the beneficiary of someone else’s Prime Invitee benefits, you have one more month to take advantage of the current program before the changes take effect.

Starting in October, you’ll have to get your own Amazon Prime subscription in order to benefit from the company’s free shipping program. First-time subscribers get a year of Prime membership for $15, but you’ll be stuck shelling out $15 a month to maintain your subscription thereafter.

Read more: Your Free Pass to Prime Day Deals (No Membership Required)

Why is Amazon ending the Prime Invitee program?

This move follows shortly after Reuters reported that Amazon’s Prime account signups slowed down recently despite an extended July Prime Day event. While the company reported blowout sales numbers, new Prime subscriptions didn’t meet internal expectations. In the US, they fell short of last year’s signup metrics.

According to Reuters, Amazon registered 5.4 million US signups over the 21-day run-up to the Prime Day event, around 116,000 fewer than during the same period in 2024, and 106,000 below the company’s own goal, a roughly 2% decline in both metrics.

By forcing separate households to have their own subscriptions, Amazon could be looking to attract more Prime accounts after previously failing to do so.

The new Amazon Family program (previously known as Amazon Household) offers Prime benefits to up to two adults and four children in a single home, including free shipping, Prime Video, Prime Reading, Amazon Music and more. The subscription also includes benefits for certain third-party companies, such as GrubHub.

Impulse Buys Under $25 on Amazon That Make Surprisingly Great Gifts

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Technologies

Premiere Pro for Free: How Adobe’s New iPhone App Will Let You Edit Videos at No Cost

Adobe Premiere users will only have to pay for extra AI credits and cloud storage.

Thanks to social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, everyone is an video editor these days. And soon you won’t have to sit down at a laptop to use one of the most popular video editors on the market.

Adobe announced on Thursday that it is releasing a new video editing iPhone app named Premiere on Sept. 30. You can preorder the app now in the Apple App Store, with an Android app currently in development.

The iOS app should feel familiar to Premiere users, with its multitrack timeline and preview screen. The app can be used for all your usual video editing: trimming clips, overlaying audio and adding synchronized captions. You can also use Adobe’s new voice-to-sound effects tool and record voiceovers.

Premiere should be a big upgrade for Adobe users who have only used Premiere Rush, a barebones version of its video editor. As more content creators become mobile-first, Adobe is hoping to draw them in with revamped mobile apps.

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You should be able to use the Premiere iOS app for free. Adobe says you may need to pay for generative AI credits and additional storage, like through Adobe Creative Cloud, though more pricing info is expected closer to the Sept. 30 launch. This is very different from the desktop app, which starts at $23 per month.

A truly free Premiere mobile app would be a win for content creators, especially for anyone who wants to explore editing in Premiere but doesn’t want to pay for another subscription.

In an era of mobile-first content creators, tech companies have raced to introduce user-friendly mobile editing apps. TikTok creators use the ever-popular CapCut, with Meta adding its own contribution, a new app called Edits. Adobe has long been the industry standard for professional content creation and editing, but its mobile offerings were usually less feature-packed versions of its flagship programs under different names.

That changed this year as Adobe released true mobile versions of Photoshop and Firefly AI. The new Premiere app helps Adobe make a competitive entrance in a crowded market, in addition to giving loyal Adobe users a new way to access their tools on the go.

Adobe has also been focused on integrating generative AI into its software. Premiere Pro got its first-ever AI tool, generative extend, which uses AI to add a few extra seconds to clips you upload. It’s meant to help smooth transitions between clips, particularly when you might have turned off the recording a smidge too early and need a few extra seconds of film.

AI is a contentious issue among creators, with some voicing concerns over the training and deployment of AI models. Adobe’s Firefly AI has been fully integrated into the new Premiere iOS app, though the company’s AI guidelines state that it never trains on customer data and that its AI-generated content is commercially safe.

For more, check out what to know about the iOS and Android Photoshop apps and good alternatives to CapCut.