And just like that, mask mandates were over. April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida ruled that the CDC’s extension of mask mandates on modes of transit such as planes, trains and cab service, wasn’t justified and exceeded the CDC’s authority.
News services quickly reported that as word spread, people tore off their masks in jubilation, even in midflight when the announcement was made. There were some people, however, who told The New York Times that others unmasking in midflight made them “upset, uncomfortable and frustrated.”
In response, transportation services issued caveats on the new freedom: Anyone who wants to wear a mask can still do so; plus, there may be some places that ignore the judge’s ruling. American Airlines, for example, noted that while it was ending its mask mandates, passengers may still find that rules in certain localities may still enforce it.
Uber sent out messages to its users saying that while it was dropping mask mandates, some riders and drivers may still want to wear masks for a variety of reasons, and to “please be respectful of their preferences,” adding, “if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”
SOURCES:
The New York Times April 19, 2022
AOL April 19, 2022
Uber April 19, 2022