There's not a face mask to be seen in the Democrat's video montage of scenes across
The ad reflects a shifting narrative on COVID-19 restrictions across the country:
They're hoping a shift in policy could serve to blunt incoming political attacks with the midterm elections — when control of
More than a year after he was sworn into office pledging to bring about an end to the pandemic, the virus’ persistence has taken a toll on Biden's approval in the midterm election year as COVID-19 restrictions and mask-wearing requirements move to the forefront of the nation’s culture wars.
After months of sparring with Republican governors for standing in the way of public health measures like face-coverings and social distancing, the sudden shift on the part of
While the
“Some people may call what’s happening now the ‘new normal,’” Biden said last month, acknowledging the frustrations. “I call it a job not yet finished.”
Yet Biden, even some members of his own party contend, isn’t moving swiftly enough to finish the job. Governors in both parties have appealed to the federal government for new, clearer guidelines as COVID-19 becomes endemic and less of a public health emergency.
Administration officials for the first time this past week allowed that they have been working on new guidelines for the “next phase” of the pandemic response, but those are still weeks away.
“We understand where the emotions of the country are,” press secretary
But she noted it wasn’t universal. “If you look at the polling though, there’s also a huge chunk of people who still want masks. Right? So, it’s not even that specific.”
She said Biden remains committed to his promise, stretching back to the campaign, to “listen to scientists, listen to data.”
But the FDA on Friday slowed the approval of the
“I think Democratic governors are going to have a good story to tell about following science and facts and listening to public health experts to keep people safe from the pandemic,” Turner said about the November elections. “And there’s going to be a story to tell about
Allies of the administration have argued that Biden should at least lay out a roadmap for moving back toward normalcy while waiting for the scientists to conclude their work, in a nod to the American people’s frustrations.
According to an AP-NORC last month, just 45% say they approve of Biden’s handling of COVID-19, down from 57% in December and from 66% in
Biden on Thursday called the efforts by members of his own party to ease restrictions “probably premature,” though he acknowledged it was a tough call for leaders.
Even as Biden has shown reluctance, top
New York Rep.
The change has come too late to help Democratic political fortunes in some places. Republican
Youngkin used an executive order on his first day in office to ban school mask mandates, but that has been bogged down by lawsuits from some of the state’s largest school districts. Less than a month later, however, three
“We are telling parents what to do,” said one of the trio, centrist Democratic state Sen.
Warnock's ad stood in stark contrast to a photo from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful
Associated Press Writer
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