Federal mask mandate lift instills controversy

Students consider how new mask mandates will affect USD 

ABIGAIL CAVIZO / ASST. A&C EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Students flying back to USD from Easter break were met with big news: the federal mask mandate that required a face covering to be worn in all airports, widespread transit and taxis was lifted. The United States is not the first country to change mask guidelines for public transportation. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Sweden have also removed mask mandates for travelers. 

Following this trend, United States District Judge Kathryn Mizelle voided the federal mask mandate in a ruling on April 18, even though the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had just extended the requirement through May 3.

Some USD students first heard about the news at the airport. Flying from Seattle on Alaska Airlines, USD senior Gavin Daher was pleased to hear the news mid-air with an hour left of his flight. 

“Everyone took off their masks and started clapping and cheering – even the flight attendants took it off and the pilot came out to see everyone,” Daher said. “I definitely haven’t enjoyed wearing a mask in airplanes because it gets a bit stuffy and I’ve understood that we’ve had to wear it for awhile, but I think it’s about time to lift the mandate.”

Senior Declan Carroll also found out about the policy change in the airport. Walking through the Sacramento airport for his flight back to San Diego, he noticed people without masks, but didn’t think much of it until he was told the news at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). A TSA security guard informed him the coverings weren’t required, but he assumed it was a Sacramento-specific change. 

After seeing others not wearing masks on the plane, Carroll made the connection that the rule was a national change.

“A lot of people were walking around without their masks on, so I just thought [this airport] was more relaxed,” Carroll explained. “They were saying over the announcements to still have your masks on, but that it wasn’t required so it was a little weird.” 

USD sophomore Cassandra Graham acknowledged that although COVID may not be as big a concern for some, it still is for others. She did not personally witness people taking off masks in airports, but she’s seen videos of people taking them off during plane rides in celebration. After seeing her dad work hard as an Emergency Room (ER) doctor during the pandemic, she does not think airports handled the federal mask mandate lift with caution.

Graham assessed that people should have waited to take the masks off until landing out of respect for those around them.

“If someone that was immunocompromised was on that plane during the announcement, you’re stuck– you can’t get off, there’s nothing you can do, you just have to sit and hope for the best,” Graham stated. “They’re already scared enough, but to have that sprung on them is terrifying and I have no idea what I would do if I was in that position.”

Following the mask mandate’s change, the Biden administration appealed the court’s ruling because the CDC assessed that the mask mandate should still be required to stop the spread of COVID-19. This decision to appeal the case does not have an impact on the current mask guidelines. However, if there are discrepancies found in the ruling, the Justice Department can cause Judge Mizelle’s ruling to be reversed. 

In regards to the USD community, Daher hopes to see a change in the USD masking policies. 

“Literally the only place I have to wear a mask now is in the classroom and it doesn’t make any sense,” Daher stated. 

Similarly, Carroll is in favor of the court’s ruling and hopes that USD will follow in the federal government’s footsteps.

“I’m totally, unequivocally in support of it. If you want to wear one, wear one by all means, but I don’t think that you should have to,” Carroll said. “I think it’s kind of silly to wear it only in the classrooms when we don’t anywhere else.”

Other colleges in the San Diego area have similar mask requirements to USD. The USD COVID-19 Action team has yet to release a  mask mandate change. 

Whether someone’s in support of or against the federal rule change, students are questioning how or if this will impact USD’s masking policies. Until further notice, USD’s policies are still the same. On the national level, masks are optional in public transit settings– unless specifically stated otherwise.