Masks

U.S. health officials say fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, lays out the guidance for what people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely do indoors and outdoors.

Federal health officials are slated to make an announcement on the use of masks outdoors. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford has more on what we know so far.

Although nearly a fifth of U.S. states don’t require people to wear masks to protect against COVID-19, some businesses are requiring employees and customers to be masked on their premises

Disposable masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment have safeguarded untold lives during the pandemic

The director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, issued a warning to Americans on Monday. “We have seen footage of people enjoying spring break festivities maskless,” she said. “Equally concerning are the resurgences we are now seeing in some European countries, countries that have had strikingly similar surges during the pandemic as the United States.”

Texas’ governor repealed a statewide mask mandate, allowing businesses to operate at full capacity just in time for spring break. Partygoers are taking off their masks along with their inhibitions, but some local health officials are concerned about the mask-less crowds and what impact they could have on efforts to fight the pandemic.

The Institute of Youth of Mexico City began to deploy Mexico’s famous masked wrestlers to Latin America’s largest wholesale market to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing to battle COVID-19.

The state has officially dropped it’s statewide mask mandate and rolled back most COVID-19 restrictions, despite warnings from health experts.

During his visit to Houston on Friday, President Joe Biden urged Americans to keep wearing masks even as promising vaccine developments come out. “Cases and hospitalizations could go back up as new variants emerge. And it’s not the time to relax. We have to keep washing our hands, staying socially distanced, and for God’s sake, wear your mask,” Biden...

A mix-up at the California Department of Motor Vehicles left a California woman with a driver’s license photo that’s a sign of the times.

A restaurant in Florida went viral after sharing a photo of their sign that reads “FACE DIAPERS NOT REQUIRED! EVERYONE WELCOME.” Beckyjack’s Food Shack in Hernando County, Florida, posted the picture on Facebook for Valentine’s Day with the caption “Happy Valentine’s Day,” and a heart emoji. “A friendly reminder that we DO NOT require Face Masks.” In an interview with TODAY Food,...

Federal agents have seized more than 10 million fake N95 masks in recent weeks

New study finds wearing a surgical mask under a cloth mask can reduce COVID-19 transmission by 95 percent.

So much for the mayor’s order requiring masks at Super Bowl parties. Throngs of mostly maskless fans took to the streets and packed sports bars as the clock inside Raymond James Stadium ticked down on a hometown Super Bowl win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pete Buttigieg held his first official event as transportation secretary on Friday

The Biden’s two dogs, Chance and Major, will make an appearance during the Puppy Bowl this weekend, during a PSA with first lady Jill Biden

A new federal requirement for wearing face masks on airline flights and public transportation takes effect on Monday

As more COVID variants are identified across the globe, health experts are suggesting upgrading masks with better filtration, or, if surgical masks are the only options, to “double mask” when out and about.

Face mask fashion is getting a high-tech upgrade. New products unveiled this year at the 2021 virtual Consumer Electronics Show run the gamut from masks with built-in speakers and headphones to touch-free devices, reflecting on our new, pandemic-stricken circumstances.