On March 25, 2021, Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, lifted the state’s mask mandate. After watching states like Texas lift their mask requirement, many states were deciding how they should move forward. Covid-19 cases are decreasing in the United States which is a good sign of progress. As of March 24, one million Maricopa County residents have gotten at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. That means 25 percent of the Maricopa County population is vaccinated. 

The CDC has recommended that you only stop wearing a mask if one has gotten the full vaccine. That means that only 25 percent of the Arizona population is recommended to not wear masks. Yet, governor Ducey is letting the whole state of Arizona not have masks. The lifting of the mask mandate does not mean that people can go around never wearing masks. Private businesses are allowed to decide whether or not they will require them. Arizona counties, cities and towns can no longer enforce their mask mandates, except in government buildings and on public transportation. This goes along with schools, until the district school board says differently, all students, teachers and staff members must continue to wear their masks. 

The decision that Ducey made last week is a risky one that could lead to an increase of cases in the state. It’s important to try and continue to stay safe and show consideration to others by wearing your mask. It’s easy and not a difficult thing to get used to after wearing it for a year.