Justice Department asks U.S. appeals court to allow transit mask mandate
CBSSep 09, 2022
DOJ Asks Fed. Court to Overturn Order that Lifts Mask Mandate
Image copyright: AP [via New York Post]
The Facts
In a 48-page document filed in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Justice Department (DOJ) argued that previous orders issued by the CDC requiring masks on public transit in early 2021 "falls easily within the CDC's statutory authority."
Last month, FL Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump appointee, ruled that the government's mask mandate for public transportation was unlawful.
The Spin
Right narrative
There's been no presentation of data showing any increase in infections from air travel since the mandate was lifted more than a month ago. As the Biden Admin. appeals this decision, even the liberal-leaning New York Times is telling its readers that masks haven't been effective in slowing the spread of COVID.
Left narrative
Wearing masks on airplanes and other modes of transit can help keep everyone safe. Vaccination rates and COVID new cases vary widely between regions of the US and between countries. This is about protecting vulnerable populations.