Three Things for February 28
1. New York lifts statewide mask mandate
New York’s statewide mask mandate will be completely lifted on March 2.
According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the decision is a response to the drop in COVID-19 infections and new federal guidelines.
“New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he’s considering lifting vaccine mandates on restaurants, bars and theaters by early next week if infections and hospitalizations continue their downward trend,” reports AP News.
“New guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most Americans can now safely take a break from wearing masks, including students in schools,” reports AP News.
2. Vice President Harris interviews Supreme Court finalists
Over the weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris interviewed President Joe Biden's three final candidates for his Supreme Court nomination.
Biden officially nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, Feb. 25.
Biden interviewed judges Ketanji Brown Jackson, J. Michelle Childs and Leondra Kruger, before officially nominating Jackson.
Harris spoke with each finalist via video conference call and each interview was separate from President Joe Biden’s interview.
According to CNN, “The news of Harris' involvement, first reported on CNN, offers a small glimpse into the vice president's role in the process. Biden said at a White House announcement ceremony Friday that he had been ‘fortunate’ to have had Harris' advice.”
3. Toyota halts domestic factory operation after cyber attack
On Tuesday, March 1, Toyota will suspend factory operations.
According to Reuters, the halt comes after one of their “suppliers of plastic parts and electric components” was hit in a cyber attack. The suspension will cost Toyota 13,000 cars in output.
“The attack comes just after Japan joined Western allies in clamping down on Russia after it invaded Ukraine, although it was not clear if the attack was at all related,” reports Reuters.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his government plans to investigate if Russia was involved.
"It is difficult to say whether this has anything to do with Russia before making thorough checks," he told reporters.
It is unclear when the problem might be fixed and production will resume, according to AP News.
