The Transportation Security Administration extends mask requirements for travel through April 18th. This includes planes, buses, trains, and transit hubs. Initially, the mask mandate was scheduled to expire on March 18th, but TSA informed the public that it would extend the requirement.
TSA said the additional month would give the CDC time to develop new, more targeted policies that consider the number of COVID-19 cases. As of last Thursday, more than 98% of the U.S. live in areas with a low or medium number of coronavirus cases. Therefore, the CDC no longer recommends face masks in (public) indoor environments. Eventually, the mask requirement will end as more states and counties lift the mandate.
The Backlash of Extended Mask Requirements
However, many questioned the CDC because they didn’t understand how individuals could gather at restaurants and theaters without masks, but not on planes. The White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that figuring out the right policy for travel was more complicated. “If you’re moving from one zone to another and picking people up … it’s a little bit different, and that requires some consultation, which is what (CDC officials) are going to endeavor to do between now and April 18,” Psaki said.
Senator Roger Wicker of MS disagreed with the TSA’s decision to extend the mandate. “The science does not support this decision,” he said. Earlier, Wicker and 30 other Republican senators asked Biden to end the mask rule and require that travelers test free of COVID-19 within a day before flying to the U.S. Furthermore, Airlines for America urges the administration to end the rules.
Luckily, many medical professionals agree with the extension decision and that it may not be long enough. Dr. Graham Snyder, a medical director, said it makes sense to be more cautious on planes, subway trains, and buses because “they are designed to efficiently put many people in one place,” raising the risk of virus transmission. Once the mask requirements drop, it will be tough to revive another surge.
Federal Mask Mandate
Shortly after President Biden took office, a federal mask mandate was implemented, which has extended several times. While the Trump administration refused the idea of a mask mandate on public transportation; however, the airlines started requiring them in mid-2020. This would ensure airline passengers’ comfort from contracting coronavirus.
Last September, the TSA doubled fines for people who refused to wear a mask on public transportation. Up to $1000 for first-time offenders and up to $3000 for repeat offenders. Sadly, this requirement imposed a lot of confrontation between passengers and airline crews. Some we have seen in clips on social media. Shockingly, airlines have reported more than 6000 incidences of unruly passengers, most of them refusing to wear a mask.
“I don’t think the airlines have any desire to impose their requirements at this point against a public that is wary of these restrictions,” said Henry Harteveldt, a travel-industry analyst. Harteveldt mentions witnessing some passengers not wearing masks and flight attendants not asking them to put on their masks. Most flight attendants favored the mandate and supported the federal rule. But now, many airline crew members are split about the decision due to unwanted conflict when enforced. Some feel that the mask mandate isn’t necessary since the planes take extra measures to filter the cabin.
How do you feel about the extended mask mandate? Comment below.
