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for more than two years. Covid has impacted every decision in our lives and the life of this nation. And I know you’re tired, frustrated and exhausted. That doesn’t even count close to a million people who sit at the dining room table or kitchen table looking at an empty chair because they lost somebody. But I also know this because of the progress we’ve made. Because of your resilience and the tools that we have been provided by this Congress tonight, I can say we’re moving forward safely back to a no normal, more normal routines. We’ve reached a new moment in the fight against COVID-19 where severe cases are down to a level not seen since july of last year. Just a few days ago, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new mass guidelines. Under the new guidelines. Most americans and most of the country can now go mask free and based on projections based on projections, more of the country will reach a point across that point across the next couple of weeks. And thanks to the progress we’ve made in the past year. COVID-19 no longer need control our lives. I know some are talking about living with COVID-19. But tonight I say That we never will just accept living with COVID-19 will continue to combat the virus as we do other diseases. And because this virus mutates and spreads, we have to stay on guard here are four common sense steps as we move forward safely in my view. First stay protected with vaccines and treatments. We know how incredibly effective vaccines are If you’re vaccinated and boosted you have the highest degree of protection. I will never give up on vaccinating more americans. Now. I know parents with kids under five are eager to see their vaccines authorized for their Children. Scientists are working hard to get that done. We’ll be ready with plenty of vaccines if and when they do. We’re already we we are also ready with antiviral treatments. If you get COVID-19, the fighter pill reduces your chances of ending up in the hospital by 90%. I’ve ordered more pills than anyone in the world has fighters working overtime to get us some million pills this month and more than double that next month. And now we’re launching the test to treat initiative so people can get tested at the pharmacy and if they prove positive, received the antiviral pills on the spot. At no cost folks. If you’re if you’re immuno compromised or have some other vulnerability, we have treatments and free high quality masks, we’re leaving no one behind or ignoring anyone’s needs. As we move forward, I’m testing, we’ve made hundreds of millions of tests available and you can order them for free to your doorstep and we’ve already ordered free test if you already ordered free test tonight. I’m announcing you can order another group of tests. Covid go to Covid test dot gov starting next week and you can get more tests. Second, we must prepare for new variants over the past. We’ve gotten much better at detecting new variants if necessary. We’ll be able to develop new vaccines within 100 days instead of maybe months or years. And if Congress presides the funds we need, we’ll have new stockpiles of tests, mask pills ready if needed. I can’t promise a new variant won’t come, but I can’t, I can’t promise you, we’ll do everything within our power to be ready. If it does 3rd, you can end the shutdown of schools and businesses. We have the tools we need. It’s time for America to get back to work and fill our great downtowns again with people. People working from home can feel safe and begin to return to their offices. We’re doing that here in the federal government. The vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person. Our schools are open. Let’s keep it that way. Our kids need to be in school, 75% of adults, 75% of adult, Americans fully vaccinated And hospitalizations down by 77%. Most americans can remove their masks and stay in the classroom and move forward safely. We achieved this because we’ve provided free vaccines, treatments, tests and masks. Of course continuing this cost money. So I’m not surprised you will be back to see you all and I’m going to soon send a request to Congress. The vast majority of americans have used these tools and they want again. We may need them again. So I expect Congress and I hope you’ll pass that quickly. Fourth, we’ll continue vaccinating the world. We’ve sent 475 million vaccine doses, 212 countries. More than any nation on earth. We won’t stop because you can’t build a wall high enough to keep out a vaccine. The vaccine can stop to spread of these diseases. You know, we’ve lost so much in COVID-19 Time with one another. The worst of all, the much loss of life. Let’s use this moment to reset. So stop looking at Covid as a partisan dividing line. See it for what? It is, a god awful disease.

NYC mayor lifts mask requirement for K-12 students and vaccine proof rule for theaters and restaurants

New York City is dropping mask requirements for K-12 schools and lifting proof of vaccine mandates for restaurants and theaters starting next week, Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday.New York joins cities and states across the country that are loosening COVID-19 rules after health officials released new guidelines and hospitalizations fell. The NFL also said it is dropping protocols.Adams made his announcements at a press conference in Times Square, urging people to “come in and enjoy the restaurants, enjoy the businesses, and be a part of this great city without having to show proof of vaccinations.”In schools, he said, parents will still be allowed to mask their kids.”I know that some who state that they still want their children to wear their masks, you can,” he said. “We are not going to get in the way of your discretion.”Adams touted how safe public schools are, saying that as of this week, NYC schools had a COVID-19 positivity rate of 0.18%.Still, kids under 5 will be required to keep wearing masks.”We’ve got to follow the science,” Adams said. “The science states that that age group cannot be vaccinated and they have, among children, they’re some of the highest hospitalization rates. So we have to save our children.”The mayor’s moves come after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, citing steep declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide, announced earlier this week that, effective Wednesday, New York would no longer require students to wear masks in schools.Individual counties and cities with higher transmission rates could still require masks in schools, and parents and guardians may also still choose to send children to schools in masks, Hochul said.Changes being made across the countryMost Americans live in areas where those who are healthy don’t need to wear masks indoors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said recently. That was a sweeping change, and other cities and states have recently made similar changes.California, Oregon and Washington state will shift from mask requirements to recommendations in schools.California is dropping its requirement for unvaccinated people to wear masks in most indoor settings.Los Angeles County will no longer require masks in schools.Illinois lifted its mask mandate for restaurants, bars, gyms and stores. And Chicago ended its proof-of-vaccination requirement.In Massachusetts, a statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools ends Monday. A similar mandate in Connecticut also ends Monday.New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday that the statewide school and daycare mask mandate and the statewide public health emergency, announced in response to the omicron variant in January, will be lifted starting Monday. Friday marked two years since the state’s first case, he said.The National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) also agreed to suspend all COVID-19 protocols, effective immediately, according to a league-wide memo sent Thursday.Mayor praises vaccinationsIn a statement, Adams said the reason “New York City is back” is because of vaccinations.”Two years ago, New York City was the epicenter of the pandemic, but thanks to New Yorkers getting vaccinated and getting boosted we have made tremendous progress,” Adams said. “The fight may not be over, but we’re clearly winning the war. We are open for business and New York City has its groove back.”Restaurants, theaters and other indoor venues will no longer have to ask patrons for proof of vaccinations.”New York City’s restaurant and nightlife industry has been devastated by COVID-19, and over the past two years these small businesses have endured ever changing pandemic mandates that have posed significant challenges to their operations,” said Andrew Rigie, executive director, NYC Hospitality Alliance. “We must continue to be safe and smart, and modify mandates as the situation evolves.”The city’s Health Department said vaccines have prevented an estimated 48,000 deaths, 300,000 hospitalizations, and 1.9 million cases since December 2020. More than 77% of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, and more than 17 million doses have been administered in the city.

NEW YORK —

New York City is dropping mask requirements for K-12 schools and lifting proof of vaccine mandates for restaurants and theaters starting next week, Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday.

New York joins cities and states across the country that are loosening COVID-19 rules after health officials released new guidelines and hospitalizations fell. The NFL also said it is dropping protocols.

Adams made his announcements at a press conference in Times Square, urging people to “come in and enjoy the restaurants, enjoy the businesses, and be a part of this great city without having to show proof of vaccinations.”

In schools, he said, parents will still be allowed to mask their kids.

“I know that some who state that they still want their children to wear their masks, you can,” he said. “We are not going to get in the way of your discretion.”

Adams touted how safe public schools are, saying that as of this week, NYC schools had a COVID-19 positivity rate of 0.18%.

Still, kids under 5 will be required to keep wearing masks.

“We’ve got to follow the science,” Adams said. “The science states that that age group cannot be vaccinated and they have, among children, they’re some of the highest hospitalization rates. So we have to save our children.”

The mayor’s moves come after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, citing steep declines in COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide, announced earlier this week that, effective Wednesday, New York would no longer require students to wear masks in schools.

Individual counties and cities with higher transmission rates could still require masks in schools, and parents and guardians may also still choose to send children to schools in masks, Hochul said.

Changes being made across the country

Most Americans live in areas where those who are healthy don’t need to wear masks indoors, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said recently. That was a sweeping change, and other cities and states have recently made similar changes.

California, Oregon and Washington state will shift from mask requirements to recommendations in schools.
California is dropping its requirement for unvaccinated people to wear masks in most indoor settings.
Los Angeles County will no longer require masks in schools.
Illinois lifted its mask mandate for restaurants, bars, gyms and stores. And Chicago ended its proof-of-vaccination requirement.
In Massachusetts, a statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools ends Monday. A similar mandate in Connecticut also ends Monday.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday that the statewide school and daycare mask mandate and the statewide public health emergency, announced in response to the omicron variant in January, will be lifted starting Monday. Friday marked two years since the state’s first case, he said.

The National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) also agreed to suspend all COVID-19 protocols, effective immediately, according to a league-wide memo sent Thursday.

Mayor praises vaccinations

In a statement, Adams said the reason “New York City is back” is because of vaccinations.

“Two years ago, New York City was the epicenter of the pandemic, but thanks to New Yorkers getting vaccinated and getting boosted we have made tremendous progress,” Adams said. “The fight may not be over, but we’re clearly winning the war. We are open for business and New York City has its groove back.”

Restaurants, theaters and other indoor venues will no longer have to ask patrons for proof of vaccinations.

“New York City’s restaurant and nightlife industry has been devastated by COVID-19, and over the past two years these small businesses have endured ever changing pandemic mandates that have posed significant challenges to their operations,” said Andrew Rigie, executive director, NYC Hospitality Alliance. “We must continue to be safe and smart, and modify mandates as the situation evolves.”

The city’s Health Department said vaccines have prevented an estimated 48,000 deaths, 300,000 hospitalizations, and 1.9 million cases since December 2020. More than 77% of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, and more than 17 million doses have been administered in the city.