CNN’s Jeff Zeleny Presses Psaki on States Dismissing Biden Plea Not to Relax Covid Restrictions: Are Governors ‘Ignoring You All?’

CNN’s Jeff Zeleny questioned White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki about whether states have ignored President Joe Biden’s calls to reinstate mask mandates — following a conference this morning with governors across the country.

“Are governors going their own way and ignoring you all?” Zeleny asked, noting that there were not “really any questions or pushback on the comments yesterday” from both Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

“I don’t think we see it that way, Jeff,” Psaki replied. “But I would say that one of the ways we can impact people across the country is by acknowledging this is hard. We have been at war with this virus for a long time, and to reiterate — as the president did yesterday, as Dr. Walensky did yesterday — that we continue to be at war with the virus.”

Sixteen states have either rolled back their mask mandates or never had one in the first place: Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. Additionally, Arkansas’ mandate is set to expire at the end of March.

The loosening of restrictions has alarmed both Biden and Walensky, the latter of whom recalled a feeling of “impending doom” and stated that “we have so much to look forward to, so much potential of where we are in so much reason for hope, but right now I am scared.”

In a Monday speech, Biden echoed Walensky’s concerns that “if we let our guard down now we could see a virus getting worse, not better.” He also appealed directly to state and local officials, as well as business owners, to require face masks. “The failure to take this virus seriously is precisely what got us in this mess in the first place,” he said.

As Zeleny pressed Psaki on whether or not governors are taking Biden’s remarks seriously, the press secretary pivoted to promote the administration’s “accelerated” response, including moving up the universal shot date for most Americans, increasing vaccine supply to states and pharmacies, and opening more mass vaccination centers.

Psaki noted that she was not on the call herself, but added that Biden is not solely appealing to state leadership.

“I think the president is speaking not just to governors, but to people across the country — to business owners, to local elected officials,” she said. “Even in some states where governors have been pulling back the restrictions, there are local leaders and local businesses, or bigger businesses, who have kept them in place.” She added that although “it’s a tough message,” it is “important for people to be able to hear that we are still at war with this virus and that people need to be vigilant in order to return to normal.”

Watch above, via CSPAN.

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