The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 is now about 925-thousand…

But there is some positive news… cases and hospitalizations across the country have dropped significantly in the last month, and many states are shifting away from mask mandates. California is the latest, but there’s a catch. 

CGTN’s Ediz Tiyansan has details.

Joining the discussion:

• Will Humble is the executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.
• Dr. Gary Richwald is an infectious disease expert and the chief medical officer at Reel Health.
• Joseph Williams is a journalist and commentator. 
• Eric Miller is the president of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, a consultancy firm. 

The number of people dying from Covid-19 in the U.S. remains stubbornly high and has more than doubled in some states recently, according to New York Times data, even as the number of infections have declined about 75% from their peak in mid-January. https://t.co/tcSnBYoCet

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 12, 2022

Boosters’ effectiveness wanes after 4 months, but the shots still showed sturdy protection against hospitalization, CDC study shows https://t.co/epHFkHKAYo

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 11, 2022

The U.S. FDA postponed the advisory committee meeting to discuss request for authorization of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 5https://t.co/LJnobwBjcc pic.twitter.com/MbTA9fW39L

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2022