The White House on Monday defended ongoing mask mandates for children in schools despite a growing number of states loosening coronavirus requirements.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden and his administration continue to support mask mandates as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“The guidance is very clear, which is that we recommend masking in schools,” she said, speaking from the White House briefing room podium without a mask.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, announced Monday he would drop the school mandate for masks in March despite the guidance from the CDC.
“This is not a declaration of victory as much as an acknowledgment that we can responsibly live with this thing,” Murphy said during his remarks announcing his decision.
