tired of wearing masks, that s for sure. it s with a big feeling of relief to get back to normal. i think a lot of the other business owners are just going to be so excited. reporter: massachusetts joining connecticut in dropping school mask kwirnlt requirement february 28th. it s time to give our kids a sense of normalcy and lift the mask mandate. reporter: with new cases in the u.s. plunging nearly 70% in the last three weeks, there is growing pressure on public officials to drop the mandates. but the entire country is still seeing high levels of transmission, and the white house isn t backing down on the federal recommendation that most americans should mask up in indoor public settings and schools. when you are in a high transmission area, which is everywhere in the country, you should wear a mask in indoor settings, including schools. reporter: as states move on their own, the cdc director today pressed repeatedly for specific guidance on how to ease restrictions. we