President Biden on Monday urged state and local officials to reconsider lifting their coronavirus restrictions and to reinstate mask mandates that have lapsed as the U.S. faces an increase in cases. "I'm reiterating my call for every governor, mayor and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate," Biden said at an event intended to highlight the rapid increase in vaccine eligibility. "Please, this is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down. Asked later if some states should pause reopening efforts, Biden said "yes."