Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cheers (And Disappointment) Greet Judge's Mask Ruling
Fox News: White House Calls Federal Ruling To Toss Mask Mandate 'A Disappointing Decision'
The White House said the federal court ruling Monday to void the Biden administration’s mask mandate for travelers using public transportation such as trains and airplanes was "obviously a disappointing decision" in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending its order for passengers to wear face coverings be extended. A federal judge on Monday voided the Biden administration's transportation mask mandate from the CDC, which applies to people as young as 2 years old, and had been set to expire a number of times. The order was recently extended to May 3 before Monday’s ruling. (Singman, 4/18)
The Hill: White House Urges Travelers To Keep Wearing Masks After ‘Disappointing’ Ruling
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday the Biden administration still recommends that individuals wear masks on public transit after a judge struck down the federal mask mandate for travel on planes, trains and buses. Psaki told reporters during the daily briefing that administration officials are “still reviewing” the ruling from a federal judge in Florida, which she called “disappointing.” The press secretary left the door open to the administration appealing the ruling. (Gangitano, 4/18)
Daily Beast: Biden Administration Won’t Challenge Striking Down Of Travel Mask Mandate
The White House on Monday evening indicated it would not seek to challenge a federal judge’s ruling that a nationwide mask mandate on board public transportation was unlawful, according to Reuters. ... {And] a White House official on Monday told airline business reporter David Slotnik that there were no plans in place to lift the requirement for travelers inbound for the U.S. to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before their arrival. (McDougall, 4/18)
Reuters: U.S. Will No Longer Enforce Mask Mandate On Airplanes, Trains After Court Ruling
A U.S. administration official said while the agencies were assessing potential next steps, the court's decision meant CDC's public transportation masking order was no longer in effect. The administration could still opt to appeal the order or seek an emergency delay in the order's enforcement. (Shepardson, Singh and Mason, 4/19)
And reaction from airline passengers —
Newsweek: Some Airline Passengers Cheer When Told Mask Mandates Lifted
Airplane cabins broke out into applause midflight as jubilant pilots announced over intercoms that the federal transportation mask requirements had been struck down by a judge. ... Erica Stapleton, a reporter with Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV, posted a video to Twitter showing Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" being piped into a flight cabin after the announcement. "When you're actually on a flight & they tell you the federal mask mandate is lifted for travelers," she wrote. "Lots of cheering from passengers on board." (Thomas, 4/18)
USA Today: 'I Was Happy. I Could Breathe Better': Travelers, Crew Left Confused After Mask Mandate Was Lifted
Alexandra Rybakovsky saw the news Monday night mid-flight on a seatback monitor. As she was walking off the plane she noticed flight attendants chatting about it as they took off their masks. The New Jersey resident was flying back with her family from Aruba when they learned that masks were no longer required on domestic flights. "We were relaxed all the way there, it's not (a) bother (for) us to wear it," she told USA TODAY. "Most of the time we don't need it because we're vaccinated." (Hines, Schulz and Collins, 4/18)
WINK: Passengers React To Judge Voiding Federal Mask Mandate For Travel
The first thing everyone sees as soon as they set foot inside of Southwest Florida International Airport is a sign stating that you must wear a mask at all times. Just last week, the Centers for Disease and Prevention called to an extension of that mask mandate until May 3. Monika Kampa lives in Florida. “I don’t like the mask thing, but for transportation, I would say yes, because you’re so close to people,” said Kampa. But others, like Carter Ames from Michigan, disagree. “I don’t agree with anything they say, really. I just… they keep extending and extending it, and I don’t think it’s doing anything to help. I think most people are over it,” Ames said. (Cuadra and Hill, 4/18)
