Biden Eases Mask Requirements for Children

U.S. President Joe Biden announced, on Thursday, that mask requirements for children would fall away given federal plans to begin vaccinating children under the age of 5.

In an interview with NBC News, Biden noted that Omicron and other COVID-19 variants had had a "profound impact on the psyche of the American people" and conceded that changing guidelines for the wearing of masks were "confusing."

Nevertheless, Biden affirmed that he had tried to ensure that Americans had access to ample supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and masks. He urged citizens to remain committed to following the advice of science advisers.

Asked if children should be required to wear masks in schools, the president mentioned that 98% of schools were now open, compared to just 46% when he took office just over a year ago - and the reopenings were made possible by the wearing of masks.

However, he suggested that could change when more children could be vaccinated. "Every day that goes by, children are more protected. We're now on the verge of being able to have shots ... for young children," he said. "And so the more protection they have, probably you're going to see less and less requirement to have the masks."