If you’re traveling in the US this weekend, you may not want to leave your mask at home just yet.
The past few days have come jarred for travelers across the country as transportation providers quickly pivoted after a federal judge in Florida voided the federal mask mandate Monday. Now, masks have become optional under most circumstances after 2 years of the requirement being a standard.
To add to the murkiness of the situation, the CDC said Monday that its order requiring masking on plans and other public transit is still needed, setting in motion a Justice Department appeal of a federal court decision that overturned the mandate. The appeal, however, does not restore the mask mandate that was suspended earlier this week.
So where does that leave travelers? Well, in most cases, masks are now optional on various forms of public transportation. But local authorities still have jurisdiction. That means in some situations, a mask mandate may still be in effect.
And it doesn’t just stop at what’s allowed and what isn’t. Travelers will now face a “completely different” environment in terms of infection risk than they may have anticipated last week, according to Daniel Parkerassistant professor of population health and disease prevention at UC Irvine.
So, as of now, it’s best to remain prepared while you determine whether you A) are required to wear a mask or B) choose to wear a mask.
‘A BIT OF WHIPLASH’:Public transit riders encounter patchwork of mask rules across US
FLYING? Airlines ditch face mask rules for the first time in two years
How to check if you need to wear your mask
While many airlinesmost airports and public transportation options and venues, including Uber and Lyft, have dropped mask requirements, there are some exceptions.
In New York City, for example, masks are still required in some airports — including John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia — and on the buses, subways and trains as well as in taxis (and other “for-hire” vehicles, too, such as Ubers and Lyfts).
A quick search online to find out the mask mandate status of your intended destination or form of transportation is a prudent step to take before setting out.
What to consider when deciding whether to wear your mask
Now that you have a choice in most travel situations, there are a few things to consider when deciding whether to don your mask or pocket it.
Be aware that risk of infection is likely to increase with mask mandates lifted.
Mask mandates lifting means less COVID mitigation across the population.
Scott A. Weisenberg, MDan infectious diseases specialist and director of the travel medicine program at NYU Langone Health, said that risk of COVID infection is “going to go up” because of the change.
Parker agreed that the risk of infection will be higher.
“There’s no way of getting around that we’re less safe without the mask mandates than with,” Parker said.
Consider what risk of infection means for yourself and others.
Individual risk of infection is going to depend on that person’s risk of getting sick, according to Weisenberg, who said that if someone is older, immunocompromised or unvaccinated, their risk of getting COVID and winding up in the hospital is higher.
Regardless of individual risk, Weisenberg still recommends everyone wear a mask while traveling.
“Even for people who are young and healthy and are less likely to suffer severe COVID… they can still transfer to those people around them and be part of (a) transmission chain… infecting somebody who’s more vulnerable,” he said .
Are masks needed on plans? Airlines say ventilation systems make cleaner air than in your office
What to do if you’re nervous now that the mandate has lifted
With the mandate lifted, some travelers may feel more nervous about an upcoming trip. There are some things you can do to mitigate risk if you’re concerned.
Weisenberg advised wearing a tight-fitting, high-quality mask and keeping that mask on for as long as possible.
During travel, passengers are at the highest risk of infection in the terminal and while boarding, where “air circulation isn’t going to be optimal,” according to Weisenberg.
On flights, try to be strategic if you want to take your mask off for tasks such as eating or drinking.
“If you’re taking it off to eat, ideally do that when people around you have masks on so you’re not taking masks off at the same time,” Weisenberg said.
I have added that while COVID spreads person to person, using hand sanitizer may also help avoid picking up viruses.
Steps to take before travel if you’re immunocompromised
Parker said that, “there’s not a very satisfying answer” in terms of what immunocompromised people can do to make sure they’re safe while traveling with the mask mandate lifted.
“To be honest, the best (immunocompromised and unvaccinated people, including young children) can do at this point is either postpone travel or get as good a fitting mask as possible, maybe consider double masking,” he said.
Weisenberg said that if you are immunocompromised and at risk of getting “severe COVID,” then you should talk to your healthcare provider before traveling.
Immunocompromised travelers also need to be “extremely vigilant” about wearing a high-quality mask for the entirety of their travel, he continued.
And remember, “whatever the risk was last week, it’s going to be somewhat higher” now that the mask mandate has lifted, Weisenberg said.
Another step to take if you’re immunocompromised is to get a booster shot if you haven’t had one yet. And consider getting a second booster shot after discussing the option with your healthcare provider.
You can still wear your mask, no matter what
While the mask mandate may no longer be in play, no one is going to stop you from wearing a mask if you want to.
In fact, the CDC still advises wearing a mask in many public settings.
Even though the CDC is not enforcing its mask order originally implemented Jan. 29, 2021, the agency “continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”
Opinion:How to avoid maskless people in airplanes: ‘Wanna hear about my testicle-tanning regimen?’
Aboard one of the last masked flights:Here’s how crew, passengers found out masks weren’t required
Contributing: Eve Chen, Bailey Schulz, Kevin Johnson, Joey Garrison
feeds.feedblitz.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism