One by one, blue states across the United States have been rolling back their Covid-19 restrictions, going against C.D.C. guidelines that are still backed by the White House.

Why are governors in states like California, Illinois and New York taking those actions? And what do they say about the shifting politics of the pandemic?

Guest: Lisa Lerer, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.

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Background reading:

Democratic governors have been easing Covid rules in a loosely coordinated effort that is the result of months of public-health planning, back-channel discussions and political focus groups.
The Biden administration said that federal masking guidance would not change for now, but officials are seeking advice from health experts on the way forward.

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