Forbes - More States To Drop Mask Mandates

Plus: Broadway to reopen for small pop-up performances

After the news yesterday that Texas and Mississippi are dropping the state-wide mask mandates and other restrictions, other states have started to debate if they should follow suit. States including Alabama and Arkansas have indicated that they will not extend mask mandates once the current restrictions expire at the end of March and beginning of April. Dr. Fauci, however, thinks that dropping mask mandates is “ill-advised” and “risky.” On the plus side, even if states aren’t enforcing mask mandates, some large retail stores still will. And speaking of Texas -- after he announced that he would be dropping the mask mandate, Texas Governor Greg Abbott claimed that undocumented immigrants were the cause of Covid-19 outbreaks in the state. It’s a claim that is completely unsubstantiated, says the White House.

Business

Unemployment claims remained high last week, but Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell remains optimistic that hiring will soon increase.  

Stocks for cruise ships and airlines have surged as more vaccines are rolled out and people begin to hope for a return to normalcy. 

Science & Health

A new study showed that Covid-19 death tolls were higher in countries with high levels of obesity. 

The World Health Organization announced it will not publish an interim report on the origins of the Covid-19 virus, prompting complaints about transparency. 

We’ve faced a Covid-19 pandemic--but what about a zombie pandemic? The CDC is prepared for that too.

What Else We Are Reading

• In Palm Beach, Covid-19 vaccines intended for rural Black communities are instead going to wealthy white Floridians (STAT)

• When will children be able to get Covid-19 vaccines? (Associated Press)

• Remember Me This Way (Reveal)