White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients removes a face mask as he prepares to speak at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, April 13, 2021. The White House said Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, that it was beginning to prepare for the next phase of the pandemic response amid growing impatience for the federal government to ease up. Zients said officials have started consultations in recent weeks with state and local leaders and public health officials “on steps we should be taking to keep the country moving forward.” (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
