Divided Opinions on 'Mask Mandate' in the US... White House Hints at Possible Appeal

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United States is in turmoil over the mask mandate on public transportation. As the Florida federal court invalidated the mask mandate, airlines are quickly moving to lift the requirement. Meanwhile, opinions among Americans are divided. The White House has indicated its intention to appeal the court's decision.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 19th (local time) that Americans are experiencing mixed emotions of joy, relief, and anxiety as the measure that had been in place for the past two years suddenly ends.

The fastest to respond were the airlines. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and low-cost carriers (LCC) such as Spirit Airlines and JetBlue announced immediately after the court ruling that wearing masks on board is no longer mandatory but optional.

Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation), which provides train services nationwide, also stated that mask-wearing is not mandatory for passengers and staff. Ride-hailing service Uber also decided to end the mask mandate for drivers and passengers. Additionally, Uber will lift the restriction preventing passengers from sitting in the front passenger seat next to the driver.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

This measure follows the Florida federal court's ruling invalidating the U.S. government's decision to extend the mask mandate on public transportation such as buses and airplanes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided not to require passengers on public transportation to wear masks immediately after the ruling.

However, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates subways and buses in New York City, confirmed it will continue enforcing the mask mandate. King County Metro in Seattle and the Chicago Transit Authority also expressed the same stance. NYT reported, "Mask mandates on public transportation will remain in New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston," adding, "Philadelphia has become a strange case where the mask mandate was reinstated and then announced to be lifted again."

Public reactions are mixed. While some welcome the lifting of the mask mandate and post photos of themselves without masks on planes or at airports on social media, fears and anxieties about increased exposure to COVID-19 are also spreading.

The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Some passengers cheered, but others were anxious," noting that "the lifting of the mandate is seen as liberation by some and a new worry by others." According to WP, a survey conducted last month on mask mandates in public transportation showed opinions evenly split between support and opposition.

The Joe Biden administration has also indicated it may appeal the court's decision. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki pointed out during a briefing that "the decision to lift the mask mandate should be made by public health experts and the CDC, not the courts."

According to NYT, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plan to appeal the Florida federal district court's ruling if they determine that extending the mask mandate is necessary. They stated, "We do not agree with the federal court's decision," and "If CDC's internal review finds this measure still necessary for public health, we will appeal."

However, considering that the mask mandate was originally set to expire on the 3rd of next month, there is also a possibility that the CDC may determine there is no longer a need to extend it at this point. In that case, an appeal is unlikely.

Local media report that while it is also time to lift the mask mandate considering the Biden administration's 'with COVID' policy, there are significant concerns within the White House as the federal government's mask mandate on public transportation and major transit hubs was invalidated by the court. This is being interpreted politically. President Joe Biden remarked, "People should decide for themselves whether to wear masks," but also criticized the ruling for weakening the administration's COVID-19 response efforts.

Recently, COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have been rising again. According to NYT's own data, the seven-day average of daily new cases as of the previous day was over 39,000, a 43% increase compared to two weeks ago.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.