The White House tried to explain what President Joe Biden meant when he described mask-wearing on federal transportation as a personal choice.
The Transportation Security Administration is not enforcing the mask mandate on airplanes, trains, or other forms of shared transportation or in transit hubs, so people are electing to cover their faces, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
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“The president was answering the question quite literally,” Psaki told reporters Wednesday. “To be clear, we are recommending everyone wear masks on planes.”
Psaki also cited polling that indicates support for the mask mandate disbandment is not “a universal view.” An Associated Press-National Opinion Research Center poll published Wednesday found that a majority, or 56%, endorse requiring people to cover their faces. Almost a quarter, 24%, are opposed to the rule, while one-fifth say they do not have an opinion.
The Justice Department confirmed this week it would appeal the federal court decision that nixed the mask mandate if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the requirement is necessary. Psaki on Wednesday added that the Justice Department would question the ruling, in part, to “preserve that authority for the CDC to have in the future.”
“I think we can all expect they’re going to continue to want it,” she said. “The Department of Justice is just waiting for that kind of final comment to take action.”
A day earlier, Biden told reporters in New Hampshire it is “up to” individuals whether they wear a mask or not. Biden’s comments came after Psaki briefed reporters on Air Force One.
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“I’m not going to prejudge the Department of Justice and how they make considerations or assessments about whether or not they’re going to appeal,” she said Tuesday. “We obviously feel confident in our authorities here, given we put the mask mandate in place and asked for 15 additional days to evaluate data based on public health information.”
