DOJ Files Appeal to Bring Back Travel Mask Mandate
The Biden administration on Wednesday appealed a federal judge’s ruling that struck down a mask mandate for public transportation.
Following the ruling of a Florida-based judge appointed by former President Donald Trump that terminated the mask mandate on Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said has said that it would appeal the decision if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintained the policy was still required given the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the face of increasing pressure from public health experts and advocates, the CDC requested the appeal, stating 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.”
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!”
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.”
“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,” the agency added.
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.”
Originally Published at Commondreams.org, written by Jessica Corbett.
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