A federal judge in Florida today struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask mandate for airline flight and other travel, just days after the agency extended it by 2 weeks to assess activity related to the BA.2 SARS-CoV-2 subvariant.In global COVID-19 developments, Shanghai's outbreak continues at a brisk pace, and cases in India are rising.Next steps unclear for mask mandateIn an order today, US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the mandate exceeded the CDC's statutory authority and that its implementation violated administrative law, according to CNN.
It's not clear how quickly the change will take effect or if the Justice Department will file an appeal that might stall the ruling.The mask mandate for airlines, trains, and other public transport was originally set to expire today, but on Apr 13 was extended until May 3.Since the middle of 2020, airlines had been requiring face coverings as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
Shortly after taking office, the Biden Administration issued an order requiring masks in all transportation settings.In other US developments:Congress will resume debate this week on a $10 billion aid package, according to the New York Times.The CDC's vaccine advisers, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will meet on Apr 20 to discuss COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.
On Fox News Sunday yesterday, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Ashish Jha, MD, MPH, said Americans over age 60 should get a second booster shot, and he told ABC News that a second booster dose for those ages 50 to 59 was a "much closer call."The 7-day average of daily COVID-19 cases is 35,315, along with 476 daily deaths, according to the Washington Post Over the