A judge’s ruling may have ended the federal mask mandate, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing a face covering on public transportation.
Will the TSA Enforce a Mask Mandate?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is no longer requiring masks.
As of April 18, TSA workers have stopped enforcing the Security Directives and Emergency Amendment mandating mask use at airports. This is in response to the federal court ruling on the subject.
The agency does note, however, that the CDC still recommends wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces—including in transportation settings.
Why Mask Up?
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky released a statement on the controversial ruling:
“CDC continues to recommend that all people—passengers and workers, alike—properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in indoor public transportation conveyances and transportation hubs to provide protection for themselves and other travelers in these high volume, mixed population settings.”
The recommendation is based on the latest data, including current COVID-19 case numbers and circulating variants. Cases of the novel coronavirus are on the rise again, and while masks are no longer required, they’re absolutely recommended.
A Divided Nation
Lately, Americans have been somewhat divided on the need for masks on public transportation.
While the national average number of COVID-19 cases is increasing, and hospitalizations are creeping up again, deaths related to the virus have declined significantly from the height of the pandemic.
As of May 1, 2022, nearly 67% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. And given the current state of affairs, the public will for the most part have to proceed at their own risk where masks are concerned.
But those face coverings? On planes, trains, and buses, you’ll definitely want to wear one (or at least keep a mask on standby).
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