CDC orders sweeping U.S. transportation mask mandate as COVID-19 rages

[Right_in_Virginia]

CDC orders sweeping U.S. transportation mask mandate as COVID-19 rages
Reuters, Jan 29, 2021

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a sweeping order late Friday requiring the use of face masks on nearly all forms of public transportation Monday as the country continues to report thousands of daily COVID-19 deaths.

The order, which takes effect at 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday (0459 GMT Tuesday), requires face masks to be worn by all travelers on airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares and at transportation hubs like airports, bus or ferry terminals, train and subway stations and seaports.

President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 ordered government agencies to “immediately take action” to require masks in airports and on commercial aircraft, trains and public maritime vessels, including ferries, intercity bus services and all public transportation.

Under Donald Trump, who was president until Jan. 20, a CDC push to mandate masks in transit was blocked and the agency instead only issued strong recommendations for mask use. Trump also rejected efforts by Congress to mandate mask use.

[...]

While airlines and most transit modes already require masks, the CDC order will make not wearing a mask a violation of federal law that could make it easier for flight attendants and others to enforce.


More:  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-masks/cdc-orders-sweeping-u-s-transportation-mask-mandate-as-covid-19-rages-idUSKBN29Y2YG?il=0

[Right_in_Virginia]

the CDC order will make not wearing a mask a violation of federal law that could make it easier for flight attendants and others to enforce.

What the hell is an "order" from the CDC ... and is it federal law???

[SZonian]

Wasn't aware the CDC could "make law"...

I suppose it's another test to see how far the people will let FedGov go?

[Jazzhead]

What's silly is I've been in these places and  everyone's wearing masks already.   Compliance as far as I can see is north of 90%.  How much more mask wearing will we need to do before government does what we really want it to do:  lift its boot off the neck of the economy?   

[PeteS in CA]

What the hell is an "order" from the CDC ... and is it federal law???

My immediate thought on seeing the article title was to question whether the CDC has the authority to order this. AFAIK, the CDC can issue "guidelines" but the authority to implement, tweek, or ignore resides with state and local governments.

So either the Biden CDC is trying to act unconstitutionally or some Reuters reporter demonstrated his/her ignorance of the US Constitution. Both possibilities are equally plausible, IMO.

[PeteS in CA]

What's silly is I've been in these places and  everyone's wearing masks already.   Compliance as far as I can see is north of 90%.  ...

I've observed pretty much the same. Compliance to state/local requirements is a non-issue. IF this actually is an "order" it's either an assault against states that have been more flexible or it's an empty Look at me, I'm doing SOMETHING gesture. Or both.

[mountaineer]

Airlines push back against COVID testing for domestic travel: 'It's wholly impractical'
By Johnny Lopez RADIO.COM
2 hours ago

The government is now requiring a negative COVID test for international passengers traveling to the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has since disclosed they are “actively looking” at the prospect of it becoming mandatory for domestic flights as well.

Now US airlines are pushing back on the potential of having to test millions of travelers by calling it a logistical challenge. ...

"We already have them as the mask police. We already have them as the social distance police,'' the JetBlue executive said. "Adding document checks and testing validations put them, frankly, in an untenable position and in an environment where we’re trying to promote social distancing.''  ...

Full story

Wear a mask. No, wear two.
Get tested - every time you want to use public transportation.
Carry your papers with you.
Get vaccinated if you ever want to travel again. 

[PeteS in CA]

Hadn't heard about mandatory tests before flying being considered, but it's utterly unrealistic. The problem is, feel-good attention-seeking and tyranny-minded don't give a @#$% about the real world, of which they are proudly ignorant.