Gov. Ned Lamont (D-CT) has announced Connecticut will end school mask mandates by the end of the month; the decision will now be left to local school boards.
“We’ve made considerable progress against Covid. Infection rates have dramatically dropped and folks across CT have many tools on hand to keep themselves safe. That’s why, as of February 28th, school and childcare mask mandates will be decided by school districts, not the state,” Lamont announced on Twitter.
We’ve made considerable progress against Covid. Infection rates have dramatically dropped and folks across CT have many tools on hand to keep themselves safe. That’s why, as of February 28th, school and childcare mask mandates will be decided by school districts, not the state. pic.twitter.com/JU681AO9kT
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) February 7, 2022
Similarly, Governor of Oregon Kate Brown announced that Oregonians can expect to ditch their masks “no later than March 31st.”
“Oregonians have stepped up during the Omicron surge — wearing masks, getting vaccinated and boosted, and keeping each other safe. Because of your actions, Oregon will lift mask requirements no later than March 31. Thank you.”
Oregonians have stepped up during the Omicron surge — wearing masks, getting vaccinated and boosted, and keeping each other safe. Because of your actions, Oregon will lift mask requirements no later than March 31. Thank you. https://t.co/QGJpZyVi5t
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) February 8, 2022
With the omicron surge running out of steam in many communities, more and more governors are considering loosening restrictions or dropping them altogether —with the understanding that we must move from a prevention strategy to a treatment strategy.
“We are not — and I’ve said this many times — going to manage COVID to zero,” the governor said. “We have to learn how to live with COVID as we move from a pandemic to an endemic phase of this virus,” said Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ).