C.D.C. Loosening Mask Guidelines Soon: NBC

Move comes as most states have already lifted indoor mask requirements.

QUICK FACTS:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is planning to change its indoor mask-wearing guidelines as early as next week, NBC reported Tuesday.
• CDC director Rochelle Walensky will reportedly discuss masking guidance Wednesday at a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing.
• The agency is basing its decision on the level of severe disease and hospitalizations in a given community, NBC notes.
• However, the CDC told Forbes it cannot confirm the story, and that “there is no updated guidance at this time.”

NEW: CDC is expected to loosen its indoor masking guidelines to states as early as next week, according to several people familiar with the matter. https://t.co/kceSP5Hb9R

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 16, 2022

WHAT FAUCI SAID:

States’ making changes to their mask rules is “entirely understandable,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said. “At the local level, there is a strong feeling of need to get back to normality.”

BACKGROUND:

• In recent weeks, new cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus have been dropping in every state except Maine, NBC notes.
• Hospitalizations are declining nationwide, too.