The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness
Some parents worry Florida schools aren't doing enough to protect their kids from the coronavirus as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) doubles down on his mask mandate ban. (Video: Drea Cornejo/The Washington Post)

Most Americans support state or local mask mandates, poll shows

This live coverage has ended. For Wednesday’s live updates, click here.

As debate over public health mandates simmers across the country, new polling shows that nearly 2 in 3 Americans say they support their state or local government requiring masks in all public places to slow the spread of the coronavirus.  
Skip to end of carousel
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who has been in the spotlight for his attempts to stymie local governments and school districts from implementing mask mandates, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office announced Tuesday.
Florida education officials on Tuesday voted that two school districts violated state law by requiring students without medical exemptions to wear masks, escalating the fight between Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and local educators.
The Transportation Security Administration will extend a federal mask mandate for airline, bus and train passengers until Jan. 18, 2022.
Americans pulled back on purchases in July as the fast-spreading delta variant introduced a new level of uncertainty to an economy struggling against the coronavirus pandemic.
The Justice Department charged a Chicago pharmacist with selling vaccine cards online — an illegal scheme that law enforcement and health authorities worry will become more widespread.
End of carousel
Skip to end of carousel
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who has been in the spotlight for his attempts to stymie local governments and school districts from implementing mask mandates, has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office announced Tuesday.
Florida education officials on Tuesday voted that two school districts violated state law by requiring students without medical exemptions to wear masks, escalating the fight between Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and local educators.
The Transportation Security Administration will extend a federal mask mandate for airline, bus and train passengers until Jan. 18, 2022.
Americans pulled back on purchases in July as the fast-spreading delta variant introduced a new level of uncertainty to an economy struggling against the coronavirus pandemic.
The Justice Department charged a Chicago pharmacist with selling vaccine cards online — an illegal scheme that law enforcement and health authorities worry will become more widespread.
End of carousel

Live coverage contributors 23

Coronavirus: What you need to know

Covid isolation guidelines: Americans who test positive for the coronavirus no longer need to routinely stay home from work and school for five days under new guidance planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The change has raised concerns among medically vulnerable people.

New coronavirus variant: The United States is in the throes of another covid-19 uptick and coronavirus samples detected in wastewater suggests infections could be as rampant as they were last winter. JN.1, the new dominant variant, appears to be especially adept at infecting those who have been vaccinated or previously infected. Here’s how this covid surge compares with earlier spikes.

Latest coronavirus booster: The CDC recommends that anyone 6 months or older gets an updated coronavirus shot, but the vaccine rollout has seen some hiccups, especially for children. Here’s what you need to know about the latest coronavirus vaccines, including when you should get it.