Why Democratic Governors Are Turning Against Mask Mandates

<p>One by one, blue states across the United States have been rolling back their Covid-19 restrictions, going against C.D.C. guidelines that are still backed by the White House.</p><p>Why are governors in states like California, Illinois and New York taking those actions? And what do they say about the shifting politics of the pandemic?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/lisa-lerer">Lisa Lerer</a>, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.</p><p>Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at <a href="mailto:thedaily@nytimes.com">thedaily@nytimes.com</a>. You can find more information and<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/podcasts/daily-memorial-covid.html"> specific instructions here</a>.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Democratic governors have been<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/us/politics/new-york-mask-mandate.html"> easing Covid rules</a> in a loosely coordinated effort that is the result of months of public-health planning, back-channel discussions and political focus groups.</li><li>The Biden administration said that<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/us/politics/new-york-mask-mandate.html"> federal masking guidance would not change for now</a>, but officials are seeking advice from health experts on the way forward.</li></ul><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>