North Carolina Reverses Course, Urges Masks In All Schools

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday called on all K-12 public school students and staff to wear a mask indoors, even if they are already vaccinated. He'll let his statewide mask mandate expire on Friday. Cooper had previously announced plans last week to let the statewide mask mandate expire and ease masking requirements for high school students starting on Friday. Spread of the more contagious delta variant rose sharply leading up to his earlier announcement and has only continued to skyrocket. Several COVID-19 metrics are at their worst levels in months. But there are some signs of encouragement that more people may soon come in for a vaccine.