Most of the United States considers datememe to be over datememe. Even as BA.2 infections are beginning to rise, mask regulations are largely suspended around the country. Public transportation is the last bastion of COVID restrictions. More specifically, airports and airplanes.

Despite pleas from airline CEOs, pilot unions, and flight attendant groups, the mask mandate was extended through May 2, 2022.

Obligatory caveat that airplanes use hospital-grade filtration systems to clean the air in their planes, which is completely recycled through the aforementioned filters every few minutes

The CDC order was overturned by a US District Judge, who wrote that it violated the procedures for agency rulemaking.

What does that mean?

Nothing has changed…yet

The federal government has a right to appeal the ruling and is no doubt considering its legal options.

Should they appeal or is this a gift to the Biden administration?

DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer.  I am not an epidemiologist.  I am not a politician.  I’m simply a dude who has a travel blog that has kept your attention to this point.  I have very complicated opinions about masks and believe that people should be given the option to wear them aboard planes and in airports, just so my biases are disclosed.  What follows is simply my read of the situation.

The difference between legalities and the politics

It was politicized by both political parties in the USA and around the world.

The world threw everything it had at COVID and little of it mattered.

So why would the Biden administration be excited about this?

They are not the ones making the decision, so the Biden administration should be excited about it.

The judge's ruling sticks and the mask mandate is not going to happen this summer.

If the Biden administration lifted the mandate on their own, what would it look like?

If the administration follows the ruling, how will Biden be able to tell people that he and his fellow Democrats did everything they could to keep people safe?

One situation gives them ownership of a situation they can't manage.

There is one thing that is for certain, though…

I don't think any presidential administration would want to appeal this to a circuit court or the US Supreme Court.

Regardless of what happens, read this.

When masks are no longer required on planes and airports, many people will still choose to wear them.

If you are unsure, be the type of traveler who would like to sit next to you on the plane.

I asked the question. If you click through, you will see if I picked a side.

In travel.

It has finally happened. American tourists can now visit Iceland. You should click through because you want the details.

InIceland.

I have been traveling in 2020. Some of you would like to travel but are unsure. Others think I am putting people at risk by traveling. If you want to read my thoughts about traveling for the rest of 2020, give this post a read.

In travel.