US Justice Department appeals federal court’s decision to remove face masks

Passengers commute at Union train station in Washington, US, on April 19 – Photo: NEW YORK TIMES

According to the newspaper New York Timesthe administration of US President Joe Biden made this decision two days after a federal judge in the state of Florida abolished the wearing of masks, which was introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 epidemic.

Airlines, some public transport and ride-hailing firms then no longer required passengers to wear masks.

However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants to keep this regulation and urges to preserve their public health powers.

New York Times assessed that the appeal would be potentially risky. If the ban on face masks is upheld, it could permanently undermine the CDC’s authority.

Even if the Biden administration wins the case, there will be a backlash from Americans who are glad to no longer be required to wear masks.

CDC has extended this rule to May 3 to give public health experts more time to evaluate.

On the evening of April 20, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the protest is very important to maintain the authority of the CDC in the future.

“First, like the Department of Justice, we think it’s entirely reasonable that the CDC, the health and data professionals, the most important health professionals in our administration, need more time. In addition, they want to fight to preserve CDC’s authority and ability to perform other missions in the future,” Ms. Psaki said.

On April 19, the US Department of Justice announced its intention to appeal the federal judge’s ruling, but confirmed it would only do so when the CDC decides it is necessary.

By April 20, CDC had clarified its position.

“CDC believes this is a legitimate regulation that falls within CDC’s legitimate authority to protect public health,” the agency wrote in its latest statement.

The agency said that people can protect themselves and those around them by “wearing a mask that fits their nose and mouth when traveling in closed environments or on public transport”.

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