President Joe Biden is expressing skepticism that it is the proper time for states to begin lifting indoor mask mandates.
During an interview that was released on Thursday night, Biden was asked by NBC News’ Lester Holt if governors who announced timelines to lift indoor mask mandates are “wrong.”
“It’s hard to say whether they’re wrong,” Biden said. “The science is saying now that masks work, masks make a difference.”
Watch the video below:
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with @LesterHoltNBC, President Joe Biden discusses the growing number of states rolling back mask requirements, the tense standoff with Russia over Ukraine, skyrocketing inflation, where he is in his search for a SCOTUS nominee and more. pic.twitter.com/NYjldwQ9x2
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) February 11, 2022
Holt asked, “Are you afraid… that some states and cities are moving too quickly to loosen indoor mask mandates?”
“Well, you know, I committed that I would follow the science, the science as put forward by the CDC and the federal people,” Biden responded.
He added, “I think it’s probably premature, but it’s a tough call.”
This week, 11 states announced plans to drop statewide mask mandates as the number of new COVID-19 infections continues to fall.
However, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky pushed back on the idea of dropping mask mandates in schools or areas with high or substantial levels of transmission. ABC News notes that about 99% of counties in the U.S. have high levels of transmission of the virus.
Still, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced plans to lift mask requirements as he said, “We know that as a state and a country, we have to learn how to manage COVID, as we move from a pandemic to an endemic stage of the virus.”