More than half of Americans supported the government’s transportation federal mask mandate that a Trump-appointed judge had struck down earlier this week.
According to the survey: 59 percent either ‘strongly supported’ (38%) or ‘somewhat supported’ (21%) the extension, while 32 percent either ‘somewhat opposed'(10%) or ‘strongly opposed’ (22%).
Eight-four percent of support were from Democrats, 55 percent from independents, and 35 percent support from Republicans.
Politico/Morning Consult published the poll of around 2,000 registered voters who were questioned between April 15 – April 17, 2022, just days before Monday’s ruling ending the mandate was issued.
Respondents were asked: ‘Do you support or oppose the CDC’s extension of the federal travel mask mandate?’
At the time, the poll was carried out with an understanding that the mandate would require travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and in transit hubs until May 3rd, 2022 amid an increase in COVID cases.
A pie-chart on support or oppose the CDC’s extension of the federal mask mandate
The chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans that support or oppose the CDC’s extension of the federal mask mandate
The majority of those polled said that they were in favor of the CDC’s extension.
US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle’s ruling had stated that the mandate was no longer legal since it had exceeded the statutory authority of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Her decision quickly became political fodder, with many on the left and right expressing criticism and praise, source said.
The judge’s order also also prompted a mix response from passengers as airlines, airports and mass transit systems were able to to make their own decisions about mask requirements, the Associated Press reported.
Unmasked travelers shutting off to catch their flights after US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle’s ruling had stated that the mandate was no longer legal since it had exceeded the statutory authority of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The judge’s order also prompted confusion amid a mix response from passengers as airlines, airports and mass transit systems were able to to make their own decisions about mask requirements, the Associated Press reported
On Tuesday, the Justice Department issued a statement protesting the ruling and indicating they will file an appeal, if the CDC says they should: ‘The Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disagree with the district court’s decision and will appeal, subject to CDC’s conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health.’
The statement continued: ‘The Department continues to believe that the order requiring masking in the transportation corridor is a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health. That is an important authority the Department will continue to work to preserve.’
On April 13, 2022, before the district court’s decision, CDC explained that the order would remain in effect while it assessed current public health conditions, and that the Transportation Security Administration would extend its directive implementing the order until May 3 to facilitate CDC’s assessment. ‘If CDC concludes that a mandatory order remains necessary for the public’s health after that assessment, the Department of Justice will appeal the district court’s decision.’
The 35-year-old Mizelle, who was nominated in 2020 to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which includes the Tampa area, by former President Donald Trump. She had been confirmed in a party-line vote weeks after President Joe Biden had defeated Trump, Mediate reported.
According to sources, Mizelle had been rated ‘not qualified’ by the American Bar Association, the news outlet reported.
Mizelle, has eight years of prior experience as a lawyer; however, judicial nominees typically have more experience, which raised questions about her qualifications for a lifetime appointment, The Tampa Bay Times reported.
Interviews for the Politico/Morning Consult poll were conducted online and the data was weighted to approximate a target sample of registered voters based on gender by age, educational attainment, race, marital status, home ownership, race by educational attainment, 2020 presidential vote, and region.
Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
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