Keeping Up With Mask Mandates

Staying on top of mask guidance in the U.S. is becoming a full-time job.

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By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editorial Director Staying on top of mask guidance in the U.S. is becoming a full-time job. Today's Top Story Mask Mandate for Travelers Goes Into Limbo As of yesterday, the CDC's public transportation mask mandate is no longer in effect, since a federal judge in Florida deemed it unlawful. Just last week, the CDC had extended its mask mandate for airplanes, buses, and trains, and transportation hubs from April 18 to May 3.   Health authorities decided we still needed to wear masks for our health and safety as researchers attempt to better understand Omicron's impact. But a judge's interpretation of U.S. code trumps public health and science.   This type of flip-flopping public health policy is exactly what encourages people to flout mask mandates.   After Monday's announcement, several airlines announced they would no longer enforce mask policies on domestic flights: • United • Delta • Southwest • American • Alaska • Frontier Know More Amtrak has also dropped its mask mandate for passengers and employees. This ruling will affect transportation methods people rely on daily—including high-risk individuals who can't simply opt out of taking a bus or subway to work. Feel Better Federal agencies are reviewing the judge's ruling to decide if it will stand. In the meantime, the ruling allows individual airlines and transit authorities to make their own decisions about mask policies. READ MORE Mask Mandates Are Alive and Well in Philly Philadelphia is going against the grain. As of Monday, it's the first U.S. city to reinstate indoor mask mandates. The city is basing the change on its own criteria for COVID-19 risk level, which is stricter than the CDC's. Unlike the CDC, Philadelphia's COVID response considers the percent increase of cases, not just new daily cases or hospitalization rates. City officials believe that metric will help them stay ahead of Omicron's speedy transmission. READ MORE How Effective Is a Face Mask if You're the Only One Wearing One? If you've decided to continue masking up in public places, your efforts are not in vain. A well-fitted mask reduces your exposure to respiratory droplets and aerosols from other people (though protection would be even stronger if they were wearing masks, too). And of course, wearing a face mask when you're sick significantly reduces your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. READ MORE   Keep Reading   ■ The Best Signs at the Boston Marathon. Boston.com     ■ Musicians Are Begging Fans to Mask Up at Concerts. Here's Why. Pitchfork     ■ Patients Increasingly Suing Hospitals Over Data Breaches. Healthcare Finance More From Verywell The Best Face Masks to Protect Against Omicron READ MORE What Is Graves' Disease? READ MORE Pros and Cons of Insulin Pumps READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.         You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy