Biden Administration , Remains Cautious About , Easing COVID Safety Measures.<br />'The New York Times' reports that the White House <br />has been planning a pandemic exit strategy, .<br />but a number of governors have <br />already halted their state's mask mandates. .<br />On February 9, New York Governor Kathy Hochul <br />joined a growing number of states by announcing <br />an end to a statewide mask or vaccine mandate. .<br />On February 9, New York Governor Kathy Hochul <br />joined a growing number of states by announcing <br />an end to a statewide mask or vaccine mandate. .<br />According to the 'NYT,' the move by Hochul <br />applies pressure on the Biden administration <br />and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <br />to update guidelines on masks and other measures. .<br />According to the 'NYT,' the move by Hochul <br />applies pressure on the Biden administration <br />and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <br />to update guidelines on masks and other measures. .<br />We are working on that guidance; <br />we are working on following <br />the trends for the moment. , Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention Director, via 'The New York Times'.<br />Our hospitalizations are still high, <br />our death rates are still high. <br />so as we work toward that and <br />as we are encouraged by the <br />current trends, we are not there yet, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention Director, via 'The New York Times'.<br />Our hospitalizations are still high, <br />our death rates are still high. <br />so as we work toward that and <br />as we are encouraged by the <br />current trends, we are not there yet, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention Director, via 'The New York Times'.<br />According to Jeff Zients, the coronavirus <br />response coordinator for the Biden administration, <br />meetings with outside experts are focused on, “steps we should be taking to <br />keep the country moving forward.”.<br />According to Jeff Zients, the coronavirus <br />response coordinator for the Biden administration, <br />meetings with outside experts are focused on, “steps we should be taking to <br />keep the country moving forward.”.<br />At a February 9 press conference, Zients <br />said that combating the Omicron surge <br />remains the president's top priority. .<br />However, in January, the president <br />reportedly began signaling that he <br />was looking beyond the pandemic. .<br />However, in January, the president <br />reportedly began signaling that he <br />was looking beyond the pandemic. .<br />While speaking <br />at a news conference, <br />Biden said the country is , “moving toward a time <br />when COVID-19 won’t <br />disrupt our daily life, <br />when COVID-19 won’t be <br />a crisis, but something <br />to protect against.”.<br />However, the 'NYT' reports the president also <br />said at the time that the U.S. was "not there yet.”
