CDC Trying To Bring Back Airline Mask Mandate

CDC Trying To Bring Back Airline Mask Mandate

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On April 18, 2022, the US federal transportation mask mandate ended. Not because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) decided it should end (the CDC wanted it to be valid through May 3), but rather because a judge ruled that the CDC failed to justify the order and didn’t follow proper rule making procedures.

Well, the CDC has now asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appeal this decision and bring back the mask mandate…

DOJ appealing end of federal mask mandate

It has been announced that the CDC has asked the DOJ to proceed with an appeal of a district judge’s ruling that led to the end of the face mask mandate. As it’s described:

  • This is being done “to protect CDC’s public health authority beyond the ongoing assessment”
  • Furthermore, “it is CDC’s continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health”
  • The “CDC believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC’s legal authority to protect public health”
The DOJ is challenging the end of the mask mandate

I’m curious to see how this plays out

I’m obviously neither a legal expert nor a doctor, though a few thoughts:

  • If this is simply about protecting the CDC’s authority to make decisions like this going forward, I can appreciate the logic of the DOJ challenging this ruling
  • From a practical perspective, I just can’t imagine that we’ll see the mask mandate brought back, even if the DOJ succeeds; I would expect this to lead to more unruly passenger incidents than ever before, and for that matter I think the political implications for Biden would be… not great
  • The Biden administration’s messaging following the judge’s ruling has been strange, as it was stated on April 19 that the decision would be appealed “subject to CDC’s conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health”; the CDC had already extended the mask mandate, so this seems like an odd press release to put out a day after the judge’s ruling

My guess is that this legal process will take some time, and then even if the DOJ wins, the mask mandate won’t be brought back. I could be wrong, of course.

I have a hard time imagining the mask mandate will be brought back

Bottom line

The DOJ will be challenging the transportation mask mandate being overturned, on behalf of the CDC. It’s stated that this is being done both to protect the CDC’s public health authority, and because the CDC believes that this continues to be necessary for public health.

How do you see this situation playing out?

Conversations (73)
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  1. NYGuy24 Diamond

    Biden announced the pandemic is over. Surely he wouldn't have lied just to gain an advantage in midterm elections. Frankly I complied with all the mask mandates when they existed. I'm done with masks. I've had every vaccination and had a mild case of covid. I'm not going back to masking everywhere. Screw that. Enough is enough. It has been years. Are we supposed to mask for the rest of our lives? If someone thinks...

    Biden announced the pandemic is over. Surely he wouldn't have lied just to gain an advantage in midterm elections. Frankly I complied with all the mask mandates when they existed. I'm done with masks. I've had every vaccination and had a mild case of covid. I'm not going back to masking everywhere. Screw that. Enough is enough. It has been years. Are we supposed to mask for the rest of our lives? If someone thinks they have covid or recently recovered from it, or is going into a place with a lot of people at high risk like a nursing home then yes they should certainly mask. Everyone else not so much.

  2. Alan Diamond

    I could understand the CDC if masks actually worked. Yet they cannot point to one study that actually demonstrates that they do. Many of us have lost faith in the CDC throughout this pandemic and I for one, do not believe they have any credibility left.

    They have ignored early treatments and provided guidance for those that test positive that they should remain at home and not go to the hospital unless they have smurf...

    I could understand the CDC if masks actually worked. Yet they cannot point to one study that actually demonstrates that they do. Many of us have lost faith in the CDC throughout this pandemic and I for one, do not believe they have any credibility left.

    They have ignored early treatments and provided guidance for those that test positive that they should remain at home and not go to the hospital unless they have smurf like symptoms. At best this is complete incompetency.

  3. Bob Guest

    Quite honestly regardless of it being about masking or cdc powers to protect we should probably just let it go and let people do whatever. Anything at this point is political theater even if it's not meant to be because that's how dumb Americans interpret everything. If they don't know or understand them just stand up and b+*ch about it to defer their ignorance.
    Vast majority of the country is already vaccinated anyway. So...

    Quite honestly regardless of it being about masking or cdc powers to protect we should probably just let it go and let people do whatever. Anything at this point is political theater even if it's not meant to be because that's how dumb Americans interpret everything. If they don't know or understand them just stand up and b+*ch about it to defer their ignorance.
    Vast majority of the country is already vaccinated anyway. So if those who aren't vax and get sick that's their business. Statistically it's not likely to impact hospitals. Regions where there are liw vaccinations and if they spike them they are getting what they created. If not nobody cares.
    We've spent enough resources on this and even though the cdc means well they've done a terrible job at reading the room from the early limited mask recommendation debacle and not understanding how half of this dumb country responds to pivoting guidelines on a monthly basis. We're a bunch of teenagers and should be treated as such.

  4. MM Guest

    The majority of opinions today is the DOJ is going to “slow walk” the appeal process, mainly because the next higher up Federal court that the appeal would go to is in Atlanta and that is considered to be overwhelmingly conservative. So it would be defeated there, dealing yet another blow to the CDC’s power. This appears to be more of a “save face” move on behalf of them. Especially in light of the President response that it was up to the individuals.

    1. DCS Diamond

      If the goal were to "save face" the easiest thing would have been to do nothing...

  5. Darren C Diamond

    Will Biden declare Global Warming an emergency and force everyone to buy an electric car?

    The dictatorial mask mandate is about expanding presidential power, not about health.

    Emergency powers should expire within 24 hours and require public debate and a vote in Congress to extend them.

    Even if loose fitting, unwashed, repeatedly used cloth rags provided 100% protection against Covid, the President does not have the authority to arbitrarily dictate when, how, and by whom...

    Will Biden declare Global Warming an emergency and force everyone to buy an electric car?

    The dictatorial mask mandate is about expanding presidential power, not about health.

    Emergency powers should expire within 24 hours and require public debate and a vote in Congress to extend them.

    Even if loose fitting, unwashed, repeatedly used cloth rags provided 100% protection against Covid, the President does not have the authority to arbitrarily dictate when, how, and by whom they should be worn.

    1 more reply
  6. GringoLoco Gold

    Two weeks to flatten the curve!

  7. Lawyer Guest

    @RBC

    If the CDC isn’t reimposing the mask mandate, do you think the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will hold that there is case or controversy, which is a requirement for a matter to be decided by an Article III court?

  8. JoePro Guest

    Agree with your assertions.
    Definitely hope they don't try to bring back the mandate.
    Definitely hope they win.
    Definitely hope that if, way down the line, a mask mandate is brought back, that it specifically require N95. Because otherwise it is... as some people have already called it... safety theater.

  9. Maxpower Guest

    For those suggesting the CDC doesn’t have this power… there’s a very easy way for them to have it: Congress (entirely run by one party with the administration) can give them that power and the president can sign the bill that grants them that power. This lawsuit has nothing to do with what power the cdc has taken during the pandemic, but merely a cop out by a cop out by a congress that is scared to vote on something.

    3 more replies
  10. JimATL Guest

    The CDC and NIH have lost all credibility on public health matters. The ruling to end the mask mandate is the right call. Wear a mask if it makes you feel better.....but not this frequent flier!

    1 more reply
  11. MikeL1986 Guest

    The mandate will not return regardless of the decision. IMO, the CDC has so little credibility left with the public that doing so would further damage their credibility. I was very surprised to see the mandate extended. They cannot justify this mandate any longer, being that you don't need to mask in any other indoor public spaces but somehow they think airports and planes are different? Packed bars are fine but an airplane with the...

    The mandate will not return regardless of the decision. IMO, the CDC has so little credibility left with the public that doing so would further damage their credibility. I was very surprised to see the mandate extended. They cannot justify this mandate any longer, being that you don't need to mask in any other indoor public spaces but somehow they think airports and planes are different? Packed bars are fine but an airplane with the best ventilation and air filtration of any public place is still dangerous enough for masks? The pandemic is over and it is time for people to worry about their own personal health. The absolute last people I would ever take health advice from is some government agency. My uncle is a practicing family doctor and he's been saying for almost a year that it is time for governments to step back. There are so many viable treatments/vaccines available that we really shouldn't be treating Covid any different than influenza at this time.

  12. Donna Diamond

    They are not asking for a stay on the mask requirement which signals that they will not be reinstating it in the current climate but rather attempting to reverse the judgment and vacate the precedent in the event there is another public health emergency. Nothing to worry about IMO.

  13. Ryan Guest

    I’m a democrat and supported this mandate in the beginning, but only as long as it was necessary given the emergency situation earlier in the pandemic. The problem is that these types of rules are easy to put in place but then seem to live for much longer than necessary. Keeping the mask mandate longer than necessary erodes trust and confidence in the experts and the whole message in general, and so it really does...

    I’m a democrat and supported this mandate in the beginning, but only as long as it was necessary given the emergency situation earlier in the pandemic. The problem is that these types of rules are easy to put in place but then seem to live for much longer than necessary. Keeping the mask mandate longer than necessary erodes trust and confidence in the experts and the whole message in general, and so it really does need to go as early as reasonably acceptable.

    Today, COVID is no longer a public health crisis. There are many tools to mitigate the impacts and the increasing cases no longer correlate to healthcare shortages and other adverse impacts to society at large. Thus, the ban had to go and unfortunately a judge had to do what spineless politicians weren’t willing to. Hopefully this will be a lesson learned for the dems, but I doubt it somehow.

    1 more reply
  14. jeffk Guest

    To me, the mask mandate on enclosed transportation where people are made to sit so close to each other is STILL needed. Not only do we need to protect each other, we need to protect the most vulnerable among us.......and I am one of them who just had a cancer operation and have lung issues. People are still dying in this country every day from Covid. Sure, not as many as previously (at least for...

    To me, the mask mandate on enclosed transportation where people are made to sit so close to each other is STILL needed. Not only do we need to protect each other, we need to protect the most vulnerable among us.......and I am one of them who just had a cancer operation and have lung issues. People are still dying in this country every day from Covid. Sure, not as many as previously (at least for now).......and people are still getting very sick. It is just common sense to continue the mandate. I don't want to be in a plane with people who are flying with the flu and I sure don't want to be in a plane with people who are flying with covid. The least we can do is mask up. The the CDC needs this authority, now and in the future.

    1. JoePro Guest

      The problem here is that you're completely comfortable cramming into a plane with 100s of other people.

      Everybody is quick to be on board with a mask, but we seem to give airlines a pass at social distancing/seat blocking.

      Regardless, the data on N95s/Vaccines suggests that you have very solid protection from this virus should you be concerned. Wishing you good health!

  15. RCB Guest

    It's VERY important to note that the CDC isn't explicitly doing this so they can reinstate the mask mandate, they are doing this to uphold their power to protect public health, which is the whole purpose of the organization. This judgment was really bad because it basically said that the CDC can't enforce anything to protect public health, which is REALLY bad now and in the long run, and not at all in sync with...

    It's VERY important to note that the CDC isn't explicitly doing this so they can reinstate the mask mandate, they are doing this to uphold their power to protect public health, which is the whole purpose of the organization. This judgment was really bad because it basically said that the CDC can't enforce anything to protect public health, which is REALLY bad now and in the long run, and not at all in sync with law and intent, we want the CDC to be able to protect public health, and that's what is at stake here.

    This has almost nothing to do with the mask mandate and everything to do with protecting the power of the CDC to protect public health, which any reasonable person should want them to be able to do, so don't get your panties twisted over this because it's some fascist power grab to make you wear a mask, this is much bigger than that, and I guarantee it's going to be a disaster going forward if the CDC has no power in this arena.

    1 more reply
  16. Airfarer Guest

    I hope that the CDC reinstate this. The resulting confusion would be wonderous thing for inflight entertainment.

  17. George Romey Guest

    CDC does not make law. Period. That's what Congress is all about. Moreover, there is no definitive proof that masks work, particularly when you consider the King of Masks said so in an email to a colleague. But then he realized celebrity was at his door if he was willing to peddle fear.

    That being said, I do think this will be struck down and ultimately end up in the hands of the Supreme Court. And hopefully like the vax mandate it gets sent on it's way.

    1. lkmk Guest

      >But then he realized celebrity was at his door if he was willing to peddle fear.

      Great description of Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, et al.

  18. Bruce Guest

    I don’t understand how American justice works. Can any judge deem any law unconstitutional and just erase that law unilaterally? And some people think that the legal system in America is normal…

    4 more replies
  19. Matthew Guest

    Huge risk to appeal. If they lose, the appellate courts judgment will become precedent and unless it goes to the Supreme Court and they win, it will hamper any future government from engaging in mandates without Congress passing a law. Reckless strategy on part of Biden Administration. But not surprised.

    1. jeffk Guest

      the administration has not made that decision yet, nor the DOJ.

  20. david Guest

    The whole problem is that the Democrats and the media (same thing) politized COVID, masks and vaccines from the beginning in their attempt to get rid of Trump. Now it's backfiring on them because they have lost all creditability. There is no reason to mandate masks anymore, yet the Biden CDC continues to try and control people.

    BTW - I have been vaccinated, boosted and I will continue to wear masks on planes etc. Not...

    The whole problem is that the Democrats and the media (same thing) politized COVID, masks and vaccines from the beginning in their attempt to get rid of Trump. Now it's backfiring on them because they have lost all creditability. There is no reason to mandate masks anymore, yet the Biden CDC continues to try and control people.

    BTW - I have been vaccinated, boosted and I will continue to wear masks on planes etc. Not because the CDC says so, but it's my personal choice. I thought liberals were pro-choice too?

    6 more replies
  21. upstater Guest

    This is definitely NOT going well...

    Jonathan Evans on Twitter: "I had never been shamed for wearing a mask until my @AlaskaAir Orlando-Seattle flight today. The pilot created an anti-mask party from the start, which encouraged the non-mask wearers to chide the mask-wearers. The most uncomfortable experience for me and my family. Really sucked" / Twitter

    https://mobile.twitter.com/jhewiz/status/1516605430423728130

    If somebody wants to wear a mask they shouldn't be intimidated not to.

    Here's another one on Delta,...

    This is definitely NOT going well...

    Jonathan Evans on Twitter: "I had never been shamed for wearing a mask until my @AlaskaAir Orlando-Seattle flight today. The pilot created an anti-mask party from the start, which encouraged the non-mask wearers to chide the mask-wearers. The most uncomfortable experience for me and my family. Really sucked" / Twitter

    https://mobile.twitter.com/jhewiz/status/1516605430423728130

    If somebody wants to wear a mask they shouldn't be intimidated not to.

    Here's another one on Delta, mask shaming by a pilot:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/JeromeAdamsMD/status/1516842036132909058

    Just because we're tired of COVID doesn't mean it wnt away. Locally in Central NY cases are back to late January levels and hospitalizations have doubled in the past 2 weeks.

  22. Fatty380 Guest

    I’m democrat voter for long time but CDC’s addiction to power which make them keeping mandates and testing requirement way beyond useful purposes and it’s not effective. However, I would not vote democrats who openly support nonsense Covid restrictions when there are effective treatments and vaccinations out there.

    It’s beyond infuriating that americans could cross borders without negative tests but subject to bs tests if they fly to USA. Current CDC director is a...

    I’m democrat voter for long time but CDC’s addiction to power which make them keeping mandates and testing requirement way beyond useful purposes and it’s not effective. However, I would not vote democrats who openly support nonsense Covid restrictions when there are effective treatments and vaccinations out there.

    It’s beyond infuriating that americans could cross borders without negative tests but subject to bs tests if they fly to USA. Current CDC director is a national embarrassment and hurts Biden politically IMO.

    1. Brandon Guest

      This is not about bringing back the mask mandate, Fatty. The headline to this article is misleading. It's about maintaining CDC's authority to promote public health policy moving forward, based on science and empirical evidence, regardless of their director or the administration. Perhaps you preferred the prior administration's guidance to drink bleach and take horse meds?

  23. DCS Diamond

    The administration could simply have let the partisan FL judge’s ruling stand and it would have “won.” Then why snatch a probable defeat from the jaws of victory? Because Biden believes that doing the right thing for the people is both good policy and good politics, a position that is sure to create a deafening cognitive dissonance in his detractors who believe that the current administration is as driven by politics as was the last.

    ...

    The administration could simply have let the partisan FL judge’s ruling stand and it would have “won.” Then why snatch a probable defeat from the jaws of victory? Because Biden believes that doing the right thing for the people is both good policy and good politics, a position that is sure to create a deafening cognitive dissonance in his detractors who believe that the current administration is as driven by politics as was the last.

    I am getting the popcorn ready in anticipation of contortions to try to square MAGA's politics ist alles worldview with this clear evidence that Biden may actually care more about public good than being reelected, and that politics does not trump all.

    3 more replies
  24. humanoid94 Guest

    The interesting thing will be to see if they request a stay of the lower court's order. If the concern is mostly precedent they could file an appeal, wait for the mask mandate to expire in May, and then move to vacate the lower court's opinion on the basis of mootness. If they are serious about reinstating the mass mandate, though, I assume they will ask for a stay.

    I flew yesterday IAD-DTW, 95%...

    The interesting thing will be to see if they request a stay of the lower court's order. If the concern is mostly precedent they could file an appeal, wait for the mask mandate to expire in May, and then move to vacate the lower court's opinion on the basis of mootness. If they are serious about reinstating the mass mandate, though, I assume they will ask for a stay.

    I flew yesterday IAD-DTW, 95% were not wearing masks on my flight and did not see any crew wearing one in either airport. Hopefully the administration has enough sense to see where the wind is blowing on this.

    1. grichard Guest

      They did not immediately request a stay. I agree with the assessment that CDC/DOJ are appealing to preserve their ability to enact stuff like mask mandates in the future, rather than to bring it back right now.

  25. Matthew Guest

    CDC taking a huge risk in my opinion. How can they justify the rule with current COVID cases and hospitalization rates? This is a dumb political move they are risking having conservative courts restrict their powers further. Accept the ruling and when cases warrant further public health intervention, consider it then.

    1. DCA Will Always Be Reagan Airport Guest

      Dumb, risky, counterproductive, and reckless? In other words, just more of the same from this administration.

  26. Luke Guest

    This basically proves the CDC had no intention of ending the mandate on May 3. They already knew cases of ba.2 or whatever will gradually rise some more by then giving cover to keep making new extensions, and now if that power is being stripped away they are crying!

  27. Syd Guest

    What a bunch of pathetic morons, holy cow

  28. strictlyspeaking Guest

    Common sense would have the mask mandate remain in place and everyone would simply follow it out of civic duty and basic intelligence, but we don't live in a world where either have a place any longer and so the issue volleys back and forth between courts, an American sport and in a nation where the only thing more important than money, power, political affiliation, sex, and fame is the warped perception of personal freedom....

    Common sense would have the mask mandate remain in place and everyone would simply follow it out of civic duty and basic intelligence, but we don't live in a world where either have a place any longer and so the issue volleys back and forth between courts, an American sport and in a nation where the only thing more important than money, power, political affiliation, sex, and fame is the warped perception of personal freedom. How that nation thinks it is still the beacon and flag bearer of democracy for the world is a serious head scratcher.

    7 more replies
  29. John T Guest

    This is a very American thing to have this dragged through the courts.

  30. Dan Guest

    If the CDCs wish gets granted, it will be a disaster, especially for the airline and airport employees. I, for one, plan to not wear a mask again in the US. The confusion and inability to enforce mandates that go into place then drop off will be the end of this.

    End the ridiculous testing requirement to get back in the US! Follow the money on that one with the test kit CEO and the...

    If the CDCs wish gets granted, it will be a disaster, especially for the airline and airport employees. I, for one, plan to not wear a mask again in the US. The confusion and inability to enforce mandates that go into place then drop off will be the end of this.

    End the ridiculous testing requirement to get back in the US! Follow the money on that one with the test kit CEO and the administration.

    Oh, that’s right, COVID cannot be carried across land or sea borders, walking, driving or boating across boarders but those nasty airplanes are full of virus

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RCB Guest

It's VERY important to note that the CDC isn't explicitly doing this so they can reinstate the mask mandate, they are doing this to uphold their power to protect public health, which is the whole purpose of the organization. This judgment was really bad because it basically said that the CDC can't enforce anything to protect public health, which is REALLY bad now and in the long run, and not at all in sync with law and intent, we want the CDC to be able to protect public health, and that's what is at stake here. This has almost nothing to do with the mask mandate and everything to do with protecting the power of the CDC to protect public health, which any reasonable person should want them to be able to do, so don't get your panties twisted over this because it's some fascist power grab to make you wear a mask, this is much bigger than that, and I guarantee it's going to be a disaster going forward if the CDC has no power in this arena.

6
RCB Guest

My advanced degree in government says that you don't quite know what you're talking about. Yes, I used CDC as the place filler for this "administration action" because that was easier to understand for most people, but the point is that the fight is over the legal right of the federal government (executive branch specifically) to issue orders to protect the public health, which is a power they've had for a very long time, and don't need an act of Congress to give it to them, because they already have. The President has broad powers when an emergency is declared, and only a few (less than 10%) of them require congressional approval, the remaining 90% of emergency powers are able to be put into place by the President without permission from Congress. Those broad powers to respond to emergencies are very important, and not things we want to take from the President's arsenal, especially for partisan political reasons. Agencies make rules and regulations all the time without Congress approving, that's their whole purpose, thinking that Congress is involved in every decision granted doesn't come close to reflecting how our government functions.

3
Brandon Guest

This is not about bringing back the mask mandate, Fatty. The headline to this article is misleading. It's about maintaining CDC's authority to promote public health policy moving forward, based on science and empirical evidence, regardless of their director or the administration. Perhaps you preferred the prior administration's guidance to drink bleach and take horse meds?

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