this is a huge shift in china because before this authorities were demonizing loosening of restrictions here, they are happening in a patchwork across the country. some places are easing rules. others are clinging on to zero covid. you have some people in china celebrating the change. but others are frustrating and angry because all of this has been a wakeup call that the government can take away your freedom at any point and overturn your life. appreciate it. i want to get perspective from fareed zakaria, host of fareed zakaria gps. we ve seen local authorities begin to roll back controls. do you think this is directing at the national level? are these local authorities being allowed more latitude to make their own decisions? no, this is a national decision. the vice premier said effectively that they were moving into a different phase. they re couching it in terms the
current trend, we are not there yet. reporter: josh allen is a public health researcher from harvard. it s not hands up. it s not the pandemic is over by any means. it s just that we re on the back end of a wave. we should take advantage of this time, pull back controls. we should absolutely continue to monitor the trends. reporter: but the rolled back of mask mandates in schools will take a little longer. remaining in place until at least the end of the month in some states. we re out here now to get the masks off. reporter: in illinois, local school board officials are feeling the heat from angry parents who have had enough. it s my children. they re my responsibility. reporter: but only 39% of five- to 17-year-olds are fully vaccinated, and the c.d.c. continues to recommend universal masking in schools. at this time, we continue to recommend masking in areas of high and substantial transmission. that s much of the country right now in public indoor settings. report