Although a federal judge in Florida voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation, some travelers at Los Angeles International Airport were still wearing their face coverings on April 18, 2022. (Photo: Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)
DOJ Files Appeal to Revive Travel Mask Mandate
The CDC, which requested the move, said that "at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health."
The Biden administration on Wednesday appealed a federal judge's ruling that struck down a mask mandate for public transportation.
After a Florida-based judge appointed by former President Donald Trump killed the mask mandate on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday that it would appeal the decision if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the policy was still necessary given the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the face of mounting pressure from public health experts and advocates, the CDC requested the appeal, saying in a statement that "at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health."
"CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary," the statement continued, adding that the federal agency "believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC's legal authority to protect public health."
Citing the CDC's assessment, Anthony Coley, a DOJ spokesperson, confirmed on Twitter that the department filed a notice of appeal.
Scientist Lucky Tran said that he is "glad the CDC is at least doing the bare minimum and appealing the ridiculous court decision to overturn the transportation mask mandate!"
Groups including People's CDC--of which Tran is a member--and Marked by Covid had called on the Biden administration to fight the right-wing judge's ruling.
Marked by Covid noted that Wednesday's filing does not include a request for an emergency stay that would reimpose the mandate until a decision is made by a higher court.
In addition to announcing the request that DOJ appeal Monday's ruling, the CDC reiterated Wednesday that it "continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings."
"As we have said before, wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor," the agency added. "When people wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over their nose and mouth in indoor travel or public transportation settings, they protect themselves, and those around them, including those who are immunocompromised or not yet vaccine-eligible, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told CNN+'s Chris Wallace Wednesday night that the appeal is important "to ensure the CDC's authority and ability to put in mandates" for future crises.
"We know there's going to be ups and downs in this pandemic, we're all ready for it to be over," she added. "But we want to ensure that our public health experts are able to take steps, if needed, in the future."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
The Biden administration on Wednesday appealed a federal judge's ruling that struck down a mask mandate for public transportation.
After a Florida-based judge appointed by former President Donald Trump killed the mask mandate on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday that it would appeal the decision if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the policy was still necessary given the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the face of mounting pressure from public health experts and advocates, the CDC requested the appeal, saying in a statement that "at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health."
"CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary," the statement continued, adding that the federal agency "believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC's legal authority to protect public health."
Citing the CDC's assessment, Anthony Coley, a DOJ spokesperson, confirmed on Twitter that the department filed a notice of appeal.
Scientist Lucky Tran said that he is "glad the CDC is at least doing the bare minimum and appealing the ridiculous court decision to overturn the transportation mask mandate!"
Groups including People's CDC--of which Tran is a member--and Marked by Covid had called on the Biden administration to fight the right-wing judge's ruling.
Marked by Covid noted that Wednesday's filing does not include a request for an emergency stay that would reimpose the mandate until a decision is made by a higher court.
In addition to announcing the request that DOJ appeal Monday's ruling, the CDC reiterated Wednesday that it "continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings."
"As we have said before, wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor," the agency added. "When people wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over their nose and mouth in indoor travel or public transportation settings, they protect themselves, and those around them, including those who are immunocompromised or not yet vaccine-eligible, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told CNN+'s Chris Wallace Wednesday night that the appeal is important "to ensure the CDC's authority and ability to put in mandates" for future crises.
"We know there's going to be ups and downs in this pandemic, we're all ready for it to be over," she added. "But we want to ensure that our public health experts are able to take steps, if needed, in the future."
The Biden administration on Wednesday appealed a federal judge's ruling that struck down a mask mandate for public transportation.
After a Florida-based judge appointed by former President Donald Trump killed the mask mandate on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday that it would appeal the decision if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the policy was still necessary given the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the face of mounting pressure from public health experts and advocates, the CDC requested the appeal, saying in a statement that "at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health."
"CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary," the statement continued, adding that the federal agency "believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC's legal authority to protect public health."
Citing the CDC's assessment, Anthony Coley, a DOJ spokesperson, confirmed on Twitter that the department filed a notice of appeal.
Scientist Lucky Tran said that he is "glad the CDC is at least doing the bare minimum and appealing the ridiculous court decision to overturn the transportation mask mandate!"
Groups including People's CDC--of which Tran is a member--and Marked by Covid had called on the Biden administration to fight the right-wing judge's ruling.
Marked by Covid noted that Wednesday's filing does not include a request for an emergency stay that would reimpose the mandate until a decision is made by a higher court.
In addition to announcing the request that DOJ appeal Monday's ruling, the CDC reiterated Wednesday that it "continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings."
"As we have said before, wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor," the agency added. "When people wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over their nose and mouth in indoor travel or public transportation settings, they protect themselves, and those around them, including those who are immunocompromised or not yet vaccine-eligible, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told CNN+'s Chris Wallace Wednesday night that the appeal is important "to ensure the CDC's authority and ability to put in mandates" for future crises.
"We know there's going to be ups and downs in this pandemic, we're all ready for it to be over," she added. "But we want to ensure that our public health experts are able to take steps, if needed, in the future."