And most crucially, he says, Americans must not let down their guards prematurely.

Will they start celebrating as the cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are coming down?

Unfortunately, our experience with that is very bad.

texas face mask

Montinique Monroe / Stringer / Getty Images

“Things are tenuous.

Now is not the time to relax restrictions,” Walensky said.

World Health Organization.COVID-19 virtual press conference transcript - 1 March 2021.

Markowitz A.State-by-State Guide to Face Mask Requirements.AARP.

AARP.List of coronavirus-related restrictions in every state.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineageUnited States, December 29, 2020January 12, 2021.MMWR.