During the Trump presidency, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention was barred from making blanket mandates regarding COVID-19. While President Trump encouraged mask-wearing from time to time, he did not issue any mask mandates.
Joe Biden, on the other hand, is taking a polar opposite approach. Since his time in office, the 46th president has cleared the way for the CDC to issue COVID-19 related mandates for Americans; although, the means of enforcement for these orders remains up in the air.
New information from Newsmax confirms that the CDC is now ordering travelers who use any mode of public transportation to wear face masks.
Reviewing the Order from the CDC
On Monday, February 1, the CDC’s mask order for travelers enters into effect.
This order mandates that individuals traveling via rideshare, airplane, bus, ferry, train, subway, bus, ship, and taxi must wear masks. The CDC also states that the mask worn by individuals has to cover their mouths and noses; keeping the mask on during the process of transportation and while exiting is also expected.
CDC has issued an order requiring everyone to wear a mask while traveling on public transportation into or within the US (including airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, ride-shares). Wearing a mask reduces the spread of #COVID19. More: https://t.co/bpOhIx8xbS pic.twitter.com/AbBtmEejWV
— CDC (@CDCgov) January 30, 2021
Travelers waiting in various hubs of transportation, such as terminals, stations, entry ports, etc., must always wear face masks, per the CDC. The CDC has also ordered those responsible for public transportation to only service individuals who are wearing masks.
Safety or Control?
The CDC and others argue that masks save lives and prevent COVID-19 transmission, but many people argue otherwise. The consensus on the efficacy of masks is far from unanimous; as a matter of fact, the new push for “double masking” has led some people to question whether or not mask orders are about safety or control.
Rates of #COVID19 cases are widespread across the United States. As of January 24, over 25 million total cases of COVID-19 have been reported to CDC. Help slow the spread in your community:
😷 Wear a mask.
🚫 Avoid crowds.
↔️ Stay 6 feet apart.
More: https://t.co/gp6X4zTnBT. pic.twitter.com/zzVs1EeG5Q— CDC (@CDCgov) January 27, 2021
Critics of mask mandates note that despite people wearing masks for nearly one year, COVID-19 still appears to be among us. This has therefore led to more questions about whether masks truly make a difference or if they’re used as visual tools to make people “feel” better.
Mask mandates, since their inception, have led to public altercations, confrontations, and pushback. Some Americans are now questioning what authority the CDC has to issue blanket orders and requirements for travelers throughout the nation.
What do you think about the CDC requiring travelers to wear face masks on public transportation? Do you believe this is about safety or control? Let us know your viewpoints in the comments section down below.
