Joe Raedle | Getty Images A federal judge in Florida on Monday upheld the Biden administration’s mandate for the national mask for airplanes and other forms of public transportation, arguing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had exceeded its authority. U.S. District Attorney Kathryn Kimball Michel said the CDC had failed to adequately explain its decisions and did not allow public comment in violation of federal procedures for issuing new rules. Michelle was appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2020. The court ruling comes less than a week after the CDC extended the mandate for 15 days, amid rising national Covid infections due to the more contagious omicron BA.2. The U.S. reported an average of nearly 35,000 new infections in the seven days since Friday, up 36% in the past two weeks, according to data from the CDC. While state and local authorities across the country have lifted mask orders, the CDC decided last week to maintain federal public transport requirements until May 3. The agency said it needed time to assess whether the increase in infections would have an impact on hospital capacity. The CDC recently changed its measurements in support of its public health recommendations, with a greater emphasis on hospitalization rather than relying primarily on infections. According to current CDC guidance, most Americans live in areas where they no longer need to wear masks indoors. This is breaking news. Check again for updates.
