Are States Ending Their Mask Mandates Too Soon?

warrant this change. This muddled messaging can make it difficult to navigate this current phase of the pandemic.

NPR correspondent Mara Liasson explains that while politics have played a role in public health decision making from the beginning of the pandemic, the divide between Republic and Democratic states is starting to close.

And NPR science correspondent Rob Stein offers guidance on how to make sense of the ever evolving risk factors for daily life.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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A woman wears a mask while knitting in a park in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last Wednesday that the state will end a COVID-19 mask mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings, but will keep masking rules in place in schools for now. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

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Seth Wenig/AP

A woman wears a mask while knitting in a park in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last Wednesday that the state will end a COVID-19 mask mandate requiring face coverings in most indoor public settings, but will keep masking rules in place in schools for now.

Seth Wenig/AP

This episode was produced by Mia Venkat. It was edited by Fatma Tanis and Lee Hale. Additional reporting from Selena Simmons-Duffin, Maria Godoy and Hansi Lo Wang. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.