COVID-19 cases continue their exponential rise in the United States, with unvaccinated people accounting for nearly all hospitalizations and deaths. In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker has ordered a mask mandate for all students, teachers and staffers during the upcoming school year.

In Arkansas, one of the worst-hit states, Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday he regrets signing a bill banning local mask mandates, and now wants the law reversed.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson: “Yes, in hindsight, I wish that had not become law. But it is the law, and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say that it has an unconstitutional foundation.”