The process of hammering out Southern Nevada’s priorities for the 2023 legislative session began Thursday morning in Las Vegas.

The Nevada System of Higher Education announced Thursday it will no longer require face masks for students, employees and the public.

Students and employees at UNLV, CSN and Nevada’s other colleges and universities are no longer required to wear face coverings while indoors, according to an update issued Thursday.

8 News Now’s Brian Loftus spoke with Dr. David Di John, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, to questions about the mask mandate that was lifted by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak Thursday.

Brian Labus is a UNLV epidemiologist who is also a member of Gov. Steve Sisolak's health advisory team.

With the state now dropping the mask mandate, those with weak immune systems are feeling vulnerable.

Current protests and strikes — while not as high-profile or large-scale as those in 2018-19 during the #RedforEd movement — will still be influential, said Brad Marianno, assistant professor of educational policy and leadership at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in an email.

Whether it’s their heart shape, their seductive coloring or just the fact they make such sweet company, strawberries often are associated with romance.

Even though Gov. Steve Sisolak lifted Nevada’s mask mandate Thursday, the governor and state and national health experts continue to point out the fight against COVID-19 is far from over.