At least 25 states, plus Washington, DC, have fully vaccinated about half of their adult citizens, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 23, 2021. In addition, the CDC has fully vaccinated more than half of the resident population in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont, not just adults. The immunization effort is having a noticeable effect. Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City declared in September that the city’s public schools will return to all-in-person learning, with no remote options. According to Meisha Porter, the Chancellor of the New York City Schools, face masks will continue to be required in schools.

Mayor Bill de Blasio stated on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe:” “So, I absolutely believe Covid will continue to go down, vaccinations will go up, recovery will be strong. “Regardless of immunization status, Gov. Phil Murphy said on May 24, 2021 that mask-wearing and social distancing rules will be eliminated in New Jersey, except for certain designated situations. He noted that if a corporation wishes to, it can require employees and consumers to wear masks. Meanwhile, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced new regulations and suggestions for returning to work, including the ability for fully vaccinated employees to forego wearing face masks and social isolation. According to Whitmer, the state’s immunization rate has reached 55 percent.