While some states are lifting their mask mandates, Governor Holcomb wants Indiana to continue on its current path. “In regards to Texas and Mississippi . . . good on them,” Holcomb said during Wednesday’s COVID-19 press conference. “They’ve got great leaders. But I’m looking at very local information. I’m very Indiana-centric about this, and I’m really happy about the path that we’re on to get to that light at the end of the tunnel.”
Holcomb recently extended the mask order, along with the rest of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions through the end of March. During Wednesday’s press conference, he said his main concern at the moment is having vaccine available for those most at risk. “We are on the path, and once we get through that, I’m going to be a happy camper,” Holcomb added.
The governor defended his reopening strategy, noting the number of blue counties on the state’s metrics map, bringing fewer restrictions on gatherings. “When you read the fine print, many states that are opening up are opening up not even to the level we’re at right now,” he said.
Holcomb said he’ll continue to encourage the roughly 10 percent of schools that remain closed to reopen, but stopped short of saying he’d require it once teachers are vaccinated.
