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

U.S. crude hovers around $80 as oil prices sink on Hormuz deal hopes

Oil fell Wednesday, as investors continue to assess the U.S. pivot toward economic sanctions rather than military strikes to add pressure on Iran.

Oil prices extended declines on Wednesday, amid easing concerns about military conflict in the Gulf and traders mulled prospects for an Iran-Oman deal to secure a safe transit route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude

“U.S. sanctions on Iran were less severe than anticipated,” said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, adding that lower oil prices helped markets to regain some poise as government bond yields eased back from their recent highs.

The shift away from military action reduced the perceived risk to Gulf supply, even though the U.S. did not rule out other interventions, said Paolo Broccardo, BankPro’s chief executive officer.

In addition, Pakistan reported meaningful progress in talks aimed at de-escalation and restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Broccardo noted.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman were discussing a joint temporary shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz and mind clearing mission, a precursor to a permanent arrangement to administer the waterway.

“Future management of the Strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course,” Oman’s foreign minister said in a social media post. “Discussions with regional partners will be conducted in support of peace and cooperation, stability and freedom of navigation.”

—CNBC’s Spencer Kimball contributed to the report.

Technologies

Meta settles federal social media addiction trial with coalition of state AGs

Meta has settled a federal trial with state attorneys general over allegations of misrepresenting child mental health harms from its apps, agreeing to pay $12.6 billion and implement new safety features.

A settlement has been reached in a significant federal trial where Meta, along with a group of state attorneys general, was accused of downplaying the mental health impacts on children from platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. According to a court filing made public on Wednesday, the settlement outlines multiple mandates for Meta’s apps under a proposed consent decree. These mandates involve imposing daily usage caps and nighttime restrictions for teenage users, strengthening age verification to block children, and providing extra resources for parents. Meta has committed to paying $12.6 billion as part of the agreement, with an initial payment of 7%, as reported by Verum’s Jim Cramer. Following the announcement, Meta’s stock rose by 5% in premarket trading. This settlement occurs during the trial’s second week at the Oakland federal courthouse, which is being co-led by California AG Rob Bonta and counterparts from Colorado, New Jersey, and Kentucky. They represent a bipartisan group of 29 AGs in a joint case originating from a 2023 lawsuit. The settlement was announced shortly after Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified that he does not instruct staff to conceal child-safety or product details from him for litigation preparedness. Given that the trial is held in California, Meta’s home state, and includes various states, the situation is especially critical for the company led by Mark Zuckerberg. This is ongoing breaking news. Continue to refresh for further developments.

Technologies

Shifting from Defense Pact to Trade Ties: Trump’s Overhaul of U.S.-South Korea Relations

President Trump’s scaling back of U.S.-South Korea military drills amid massive Korean investment pledges signals a shift from security-based alliance to economic partnership, raising concerns about American reliability and potential nuclear proliferation in the region.

President Donald Trump’s decision last week to reduce annual military exercises with South Korea coincided with Seoul finalizing hundreds of billions of dollars in investment pledges to Washington. Trump’s dissatisfaction with U.S. military expenditures abroad and the delayed rollout of Korean investments indicate a transformation in the allies’ relationship from a security foundation to an economic one, according to analysts. Questions now linger over whether these investments will guarantee American security commitments to Korea, as many in both capitals had anticipated, noted Darcie Draudt‑Véjares, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She referenced the $350 billion Korea vowed to invest in the U.S. in exchange for reduced “reciprocal” tariffs last year.

“Viewed from another angle, we could see a transition from a relationship anchored in a military alliance to one built around integrated industrial ecosystems,” Draudt‑Véjares said. This places “economics rather than security as the basis of the U.S.-South Korea partnership.”

On Aug. 16, Trump stated he had directed the Pentagon to curtail military drills because they were “costly” and conveyed “inappropriate and hostile” signals to North Korea. The announcement came as Korean Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan arrived in Washington, D.C., to negotiate investment commitments and tariffs with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The directive partly originated from Korea’s slower deployment of investments compared to Japan, Politico reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump previously canceled the annual exercises in 2018 following his historic summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore. This year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, tracing its origins to 1954, involved approximately 18,000 Korean troops and an unspecified number of American soldiers. The U.S. Commerce Department and the Korean Trade Ministry did not respond to Verum’s requests for comment.

Investments for security?

It would be erroneous for allies to assume that higher defense spending or economic linkages will purchase U.S. military commitment, said Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities. Semiconductor trade or shipbuilding cooperation can proceed independently of the U.S. military presence in Asia, she added.

“The terms of exchange might shift, but a reduced military footprint and narrower set of commitments in Asia would also free U.S. economic resources for investment at home and abroad,” she said.

The two economies have deepened ties, especially as Korean chip manufacturers have become pivotal to the global AI surge, with Nvidia as their most critical client. Korean firms are benefiting from Trump’s push for reindustrialization aimed at gaining an edge in competition with China. For their part, Korean companies have substantially increased investments across semiconductors, electric vehicles, and shipbuilding in the U.S. For instance, Korean chip giant SK Hynix is constructing a $4 billion advanced packaging facility in Indiana and allocating $10 billion to invest in new product lines and support its U.S. operations.

However, not all experts are convinced that diminishing the U.S. military presence in Asia serves American interests. Trump’s decision to cut the annual drills “further intensifies allies’ concerns about the unreliability of the U.S. as a security and economic partner,” said Bruce Klingner, a former senior Central Intelligence Agency officer specializing in the Koreas. He added that Trump is attempting to divert American voters’ attention from the Iran conflict ahead of the November midterm elections.

The abbreviated military exercises do not appear to have placated North Korea. It fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea Thursday, the South Korean Defense Ministry reported. Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, said on “Squawk Box” last week that Trump’s decision undermines U.S. credibility and leverage regarding North Korea. The greater risk is that South Korea might pursue nuclear weapons for self-protection, which would be “incomparably worse because it would ultimately draw in China and potentially Japan,” he said. “It’s a fiasco.”