The White House is announcing a new phase in its coronavirus response today. The new strategy will focus on minimizing disruptions to daily life and easing public health measures. It reflects recently updated mask guidance by the CDC and the loosening of restrictions by cities and states around the country. President Biden reflected the shift during his State of the Union address yesterday.

President Joe Biden: “Thanks to the progress we’ve made in the past year, COVID-19 no longer need control our lives.”

Biden also announced a new program to provide people with antiviral treatment as soon as they test positive for COVID.

New York City is expected to end some of its mask and vaccine mandates starting next week, including an indoor mask mandate for public school children, and the city’s main contact-tracing program. On the West Coast, California, Oregon and Washington announced they are dropping school mask mandates after March 11. Some health experts, as well as more medically vulnerable populations, have warned against a premature lifting of protective measures.