(Chris Parker, Headline USA) The federal government wants to reinstate mask mandates despite low infection rates, because sometimes big government has to grow its reach despite the science.
The Department of Justice claims that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask mandates for public transportation were “within the health agency’s legal authority.” Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a federal judge in Florida, overturned the mandates on the grounds that they were unlawful, reported Just The News.
Mizelle’s decision was based on the grounds that “the mandate was unlawful because it exceeded the statutory authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention DC” and that it violated “administrative law insofar as the agency did not provide a sufficient justification for its mandate.”
The Biden administration announced a forthcoming appeal almost immediately after Mizelle’s decision. The Justice Department stated that it would file the appeal if requested by the CDC to do so.
The CDC defended its authority to issue mask mandates when filing its appeal. However, the agency did not request an emergency order that would have put the district court’s ruling on hold.
The CDC is also calling for new local mask mandates in 54 New York counties. The CDC “does not indicate where face coverings are (or should be) mandated” aside from the current local mandates already active in New York.
The federal agency recently called for indoor masking in southern Florida as well. The state, known for its sensible reluctance to minimize COVID-19 restrictions, has banned mask mandates and other restrictions, including lockdowns.
The pushback against COVID-19 mandates has been growing in the US. In February, 31 school superintendents in New York called for the governor to end mask mandates on children. It’s been shown how COVID mandates and restrictions have harmed children the most.
Senator Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., called for an end to all federal restrictions and mandates one month before Mizelle’s ruling ended the travel mask mandate. He was joined by over 30 colleagues.
Several airline CEOs also called for an end to the federal mask mandate in March. They were joined by several pilots who sued the CDC for its travel restrictions.
