In an interview to air on “Face the Nation” Sunday, Pottinger says the approach to masking “cost us dearly” Source

“It was the one effective, widely available tool that we had in the arsenal to deal with this…It was a grave misstep,” Pottinger told “Face the Nation.” Source

The storm has been linked to at least 27 deaths in the state. Source

President Biden has approved a major disaster declaration in Texas, clearing the way for the state and local governments to receive additional federal aid after a winter storm knocked out power across the state. Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton joins CBSN to discuss what the agency’s intervention means for the recovery efforts and Texans moving forward. Source

Manatee County Commissioner Misty Servia said a deal bypassed county protocol, allowing a select group of residents to go the front of the vaccine line. Source

As of Saturday morning, the storm had been linked to at least 27 deaths in the state. Source

Ethiopia is moving closer to peace talks in its northern Tigray Region. On Friday, officials in Tigray laid out conditions for negotiations, including unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. Lana Zak spoke with Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, about the humanitarian crisis in that region. Source

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many people to experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies. This has been exacerbated by the stressful loneliness of quarantine and isolation. Now, studies are finding these issues are hitting certain groups of people particularly hard. Dr. Roger McIntyre is a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Toronto. He joined CBSN’s Lana Zak to discuss how the global community can be more aware of these mental health issues. Source

Millions of Americans are still struggling to find work during the pandemic. But one idea gaining traction among some lawmakers and economists is for the federal government to provide jobs. New York Times economics reporter Eduardo Porter joined CBSN’s Lana Zak to discuss the potential measure, which was previously implemented during the Great Depression. Source

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott spoke to Lana Zak about the challenges Baltimore is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the racial inequity of vaccine distribution. Mayor Scott says he’s looking to the Biden administration to help close the racial gap and invest in local governments to improve COVID responses. The mayor also says he’s working on vaccine distribution for educators who are skeptical to return to work as the pandemic continues. Source