Biden says it is 'probably premature' to lift mask mandates as Democratic states break with CDC to do so

• President Joe Biden said it was "probably premature" for states to lift mask mandates.
• A number of Democratic states have plans to do so, though the CDC still recommends mask wearing.

President Joe Biden said on Thursday that states' decisions to lift mask mandates were "probably premature."

Biden was asked in an $4 whether governors ditching indoor mask mandates are correct. He replied: "The science is saying now masks work, masks make a difference."

He later added: "I committed that I would follow the science, the science as put forward by the CDC and the federal people. I think it's probably premature but it's a tough call."

$4 have recently announced that they are relaxing mask mandates, even though the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends that people wear them in many indoor situations.

Biden noted that most states were not relaxing the rules immediately, but announced plans to do so in the next few weeks.

"I assume it has something to do with whether the Omicron variant continues to dive," he said, suggesting governors could change their minds if cases soar.