Two doses have little effect on those under 5; results from testing 3 doses are weeks away. Liberal-leaning states like New York, Illinois and Massachusetts are letting mask mandates expire, getting ahead of federal guidance.
Some Americans cheered the moves, mostly by Democratic governors, but others questioned the timing, with more than 200,000 new virus infections being reported each day.
Islands across the region are investing in infrastructure and new resorts, hoping that their popularity as pandemic escapes can translate into returning visitors.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the indoor mask mandate for businesses would expire today. Other states loosened pandemic rules, deepening confusion about what is and is not required.