We are visiting friends in NJ and have been shocked to find almost nobody is wearing masks. There is no mask mandate. It seems the mandate was lifted around Memorial Day, so could this be in order to cater to the tourism industry?

I checked on the state COVID info site and the last update was in JULY.

NBC4Washington

A tornado watch is in effect for the D.C. area as heavy rain and possible flooding are expected.

The tornado watch is in effect until at least 8 p.m. in D.C.; 16 Maryland counties including Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George's counties; and 20 Virginia counties including Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties; and the Virginia cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

A flash flood watch is in place for parts of the D.C. area until at least 10 p.m. The greatest risk for flash flooding will be along and west of Interstate 95.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/weather/weather-stories/wednesday-weather-forecast-dc-maryland-northern-virginia/2776065/

What happened with the Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants?