Experts explain what a new variant, lifting of mask mandates, and some disheartening news from D.C. might mean for the country

By

ELIZABETH YUKO

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In apandemicfull of mixed messaging, you would not be alone if you found this past week inCovidnews particularly confounding.

While outbreaks in Europe and Asia are on the rise— and a spike in cases in the United States likely on the horizon, Congress this weekremoved $15 billionin Covid-related funding from a $1.5 trillion spending bill. The White House warns this will mean dire cuts to testing, treatment and vaccine distribution, with some services suspended as soon as next week. That same day theSenate voted to overturnthe public health order requiring masks on airplanes and public transit.

All of this has left many public health and infectious disease experts—and confused members…