COVID-19 Prevention Google Doodle Promotes Wearing Masks as Several States Lift Mandates

The Google Doodle for Tuesday, April 6, advises users to "Wear a Mask. Save Lives." The search engine's latest Doodle comes as several states have lifted mask mandates in recent days, including Indiana where the state's mask requirement will become a "mask advisory" from Tuesday.

The latest Google Doodle states: "Masks are still important. Wear a mask and save lives.

"As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, help stop the spread by following these steps," the Doodle says, linking out to the latest advice on face coverings from local authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

It also advises: "Learn more here about resources to help you and your communities stay informed and connected, and the latest ways we're responding," providing links to different COVID-19 information sources including the latest news on the pandemic as well as COVID-19 vaccines.

In Indiana, masks will still be mandatory in "all state buildings and facilities and in all vaccination and COVID testing sites until further notice," Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said in a statement on March 23.

"K-12 schools will continue under current face covering requirements" for the remainder of the school year.

"Local governments, businesses and other entities may impose more stringent guidelines" such as requiring masks, the statement added.

Utah's mask mandate will end on April 10 but businesses can still require them at their facilities. Mask orders will resume in schools and for gatherings of more than 50 people.

A statewide mask requirement was also lifted in Kansas, where lawmakers overturned Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's extension of the mask mandate on April 1.

On March 31, Wisconsin's mask mandate, which was reissued several times by Gov. Tony Evers, was revoked by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court ruled that Evers violated a Wisconsin state statute prohibiting governors from reissuing emergency orders without approval from the legislature.

Face-covering requirements were also lifted across Arizona in late March. Businesses can still enforce mask rules and other "policies to mitigate against COVID-19 spread," according to an executive order by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey.

Mask rules in Wyoming were eased from March 16 but "the face covering protocol will remain in place in K-12 schools as a safety measure," according to a statement from the office of Gov. Mark Gordon on March 8.

A statewide mask mandate in Texas was lifted on March 10. Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted "Texas is open 100 percent" on March 2, announcing the full reopening of the state.