Tuesday on Political Rewind: Many COVID-19 restrictions governing Georgia's public spaces and businesses were lifted yesterday. An executive order from Gov. Brian Kemp relaxed public health guidance in restaurants, bars, child care facilities, music venues and convention centers.

While the order discourages public schools from enforcing their own mask mandates, it falls short of a ban on local mask rules. 

Meanwhile, a glance at data from the state Department of Public Health on COVID-19 spread in Georgia reveals good news: The rate of new infections in the state is reaching lows not seen since the first weeks of the pandemic in April 2020. But are we out of the woods yet? Our panel weighs in.

Also: In Congress, all but six Republicans in the Senate voted against legislation creating a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Georgia's congressional delegation split their support along partisan lines. 

Panelists:

Raisa Habersham — Watchdog and Investigative Reporter, Savannah Morning News

Patricia Murphy — Political Reporter and Columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dr. Karen Owen — Professor of Political Science, University of West Georgia