The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
April 19, 2022

Federal Judge Strikes Down CDC's Mask Mandate for Public Transportation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A federal judge in Florida has struck down the Biden administration's
mask mandate for airports, transit hubs and passengers on public
transportation. U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled
from Florida on Monday that the CDC exceeded its legal authority in
ordering the mask mandate. Judge Mizelle was nominated by Donald Trump
and confirmed by Republican senators in 2020 to a lifetime appointment
on the federal court, at the age of just 33, even though the American
Bar Association gave her a rating of "not qualified." Her ruling came as
U.S. coronavirus cases continue to rise, particularly in northeastern
states, with the official U.S. death toll from COVID-19 approaching 1
million. Later on Monday, the Biden administration said the
Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce the mask
mandate at airports. This is White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki: "The CDC recommended continuing the order for
additional time, two weeks, to be able to assess the latest science in
keeping with its responsibility to protect the American people. So this
is obviously a disappointing decision. The CDC continues recommending
wearing a mask in public transit."

Psaki said the White House is reviewing the court ruling and that the
Justice Department will decide whether to appeal.


.