CDC Eases Mask Rules; NYC Offers Burgers for Shots: Virus Update Bloomberg 18 mins ago Bloomberg News
(Bloomberg) President Joe Biden’s administration took its biggest step yet toward declaring victory over the coronavirus pandemic announcing that fully vaccinated Americans can ditch their masks in most settings, even indoors or in large groups. Masks are still required on buses, trains and other forms of public transportation, as well as airports.
To drive vaccinations, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is offering vouchers for a Shake Shack burger or sandwich for residents who got their shots, while Six Flags Entertainment Corp. will give away 50,000 tickets to its Illinois theme parks to newly vaccinated residents in the state.
Randi Weingarten says the wide availability of vaccines and a new infusion of federal education money have removed many obstacles that prevented schools from opening.
”The last year has been incredibly difficult for students, for educators, and for parents, but the light at the end of the tunnel is now in sight,” Kontos said.
One health expert declared of the current situation in the US: âWe have, in effect, tamed the virus.â
On average, the US saw fewer than 40,000 new Covid-19 new confirmed cases daily over the past week, a 21% improvement compared to the week prior, Axios reported Thursday.
The siteâs well known graphic of a state-by-state coronavirus map is currently showing all US states with either steady or declining rates of infection.
âConditions have changed,â said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. âWe can and we must reopen schools in the fall for in-person teaching, learning and support. And keep them open. Fully and safely, five days a week.â