Mandate backlash complicates COVID-19 politics: The Note

Vaccine mandate backlash complicates COVID-19 politics: The Note

The TAKE with Rick Klein

The country won’t shut down again because of COVID-19 -- at least, not anytime soon.

But the federal government just might, and possibly very shortly.

That says something significant about the state of pandemic politics, which have been shifting even as the virus has been producing new and troubling variants. President Joe Biden on Thursday will outline his winter plans for confronting COVID-19, with many familiar steps around vaccines, boosters and testing -- including free at-home testing -- but also having made a vow to avoid further lockdowns or shutdowns.