CDC Drastically Alters Key Measure That Influences Mask Mandates Across US

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks during a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington in a file image. Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Feb. 25 drastically changed a key measure that is used by officials across the country to determine whether or not to require mask-wearing.

The federal agency now says nearly three-quarters of Americans don’t need to wear masks because they live in areas with low or medium community risk from COVID-19.