CDC announces 15-day mask-wearing mission on airplanes and trains

The Biden administration is expanding Mask duty for tourists on airplanes, trains and other transportation systems in May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.

The current requirement for all visitors to wear face coverings expired on April 18, but the Transportation Security Administration is now extending it. request CDC has announced an additional 15 days through May 3.

“Since the beginning of April, there has been an increase in the 7-day moving average of US cases,” the statement said. “To assess the potential impact of increased cases on severe illness, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, the CDC Order will remain in place at this time.” this.”

Some areas of the country have seen an increase in cases, but so far, much of this increase has not been met with a return to mitigation efforts such as wearing Mandatory mask. Philadelphia became the first major city on Monday to reinstate mask wearing indoors since the CDC recommended in February that most people can go without a mask indoors.

Cases are being driven by sub-variable omicron BA.2, which experts have warned is highly contagious. There have also been warnings that the extent of the latest spike may not be clear as many are using home tests and not reporting positive results to government officials.

Hospitalization despite continued in some lowest level since the beginning of the pandemic, even in areas where the number of cases has increased.

Airlines have begun pushing the administration to let the mandate expire. Airlines have had to enforce mask requirements as a growing number of states and localities have dropped the requirement that people wear face coverings in public.

Airlines for America Corporation, which represents 10 major US airlines, wrote a letter to the authorities on Wednesday asking for masks to be removed and requiring pre-departure checks for international flights. .

“There are no limitations currently supported by data and science in today’s public health environment,” the letter argues. “It is difficult to understand why masks are still required on planes, but not required in crowded bars and restaurants; in crowded sports arenas; in schools full of children; or at big political meeting in the house. Simply put, the extension of the mission mask makes no sense.”

The White House said it would leave the decision to the CDC.

According to the current CDC tutorial Around mask use, 99% of the country falls into the category of moderate to low community transmission, where the agency considers masks unnecessary.

at Blogtuan.info – Source: nbcnews.com – Read the original article here