Mask mandate comes to a messy end

Politics, not public health, is now driving the train and flying the plane.

A disconcerting mix of confusion and chaos has descended over the nation's airports, train stations and bus terminals after Monday's abrupt decision by a federal judge in Florida to strike down the mask mandate on airplanes, trains, buses, and other public transit.

That started Monday night, with regrettable examples of pilots encouraging midflight mask removal that could put passengers in harm's way. Making matters worse was the lack of an immediate, clear, and reassuring response from President Joe Biden who pretty much said to do what you want.

As a result, like so much about mask-wearing over the last two years, public health policy quickly became laden with political posturing. Anti-mask groups and those who've been pressing for a return to normal cheered as medical professionals and those who are immunocompromised expressed concern.

Unfortunately missing from the discussion was a focus on what public health requires and the voices of the nation's public health leaders.

The Biden administration says it will appeal the decision if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an extension is warranted. But the shift away from masks clearly is in motion. Major airlines and ride-sharing companies lifted the requirement, as did Long Island MacArthur Airport. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, meanwhile, has a messy mix of policies at the region's other airports, because New York and New Jersey took different tacks.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority left the mandate in place. That's the right move; it can protect those who must ride the trains or buses, but are at greater risk, especially with new subvariants emerging. It already was a challenge for the MTA to enforce the mask mandate; authority data shows no summonses were issued since last year. Now, enforcement likely will become tougher. The MTA must do whatever it can, as protecting its customers must remain paramount.

But responsibility lies with us, too. For the sake of one another, especially those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or too young to be vaccinated, public transit riders should continue to wear masks. And anyone who wants to wear a mask on planes or in airports must not be judged for doing so. Let's not abandon common sense and consideration.

At some point, the mask mandate was going to end, though it should have happened in the context of public health metrics. That's how agencies like the MTA should make decisions going forward. The CDC should proceed with determining whether the mandate should be continued or under what conditions it should be reinstated.

It's time to put our energy into other efforts to end the pandemic — from vaccination to testing to research that would better predict future surges. That's a good way to keep one another healthy and travel safely.