Biden declares pandemic over in 60 Minutes interview triggers immediate contradiction

President Biden tells CBS News "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley that "the pandemic is over," pointing to the lack of masks visible at the Detroit Auto Show as evidence. The statement triggers immediate contradiction from White House officials and public health experts, who note that COVID is still killing approximately 400 Americans per day, the national public health emergency remains in effect, and main COVID programs depend on emergency status. The comment accelerates calls to formally end the public health emergency and sets up a politically awkward position for the administration, which had been planning a more deliberate drawdown.