Updated 430pm. This afternoon the state DOT said masks are no longer required on airport properties statewide. In addition, Airlines including Hawaiian Air and Alaska Air said they would make masks optional for both their employees and passengers.
We have heard that the CDC plans to appeal today’s 59-page ruling from a federal judge in Florida. US District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled that the CDC had used flawed reasoning in their interpretation of the Public Health Services Act. This is what gave them the basis for the mask mandate we have been under during COVID.
So at least for now, it looks like masks are no longer required. We know that airlines, unions, and others are opposed to continuing the mandate, and there are also other lawsuits pending.
Given that the current mask mandate was set to expire in two weeks, is isn’t clear just what might happen next. So far, no word from the Governor of Hawaii on his take.
What’s next on Hawaii flights.
Hawaiian Air just said “this is a rapidly evolving situation, and we are making the wearing of face masks optional onboard our flights effectively iummediately – for guests and employees.”
Flights and airports are under federal jurisdiction. That having been said, Hawaii airports are to our knowledge managed by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. That’s confusing. Furthermore, at this point, we have seen no comments from Hawaii DOT, from Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial hopeful Josh Green, or Governor Ige.
What remains unclear is whether the Justice Department will be able to intervene, although we’re getting the distinct impression now that it is unlikely.
Flight attendants’ union speaks out.
They are clearly worried about any confusion landing squarely on their aircraft in the form of trouble onboard. The Association of Flight Attendants suggested there be “calm and consistency in the airports and on planes. We urge focus on clear communication so that Flight Attendants and other frontline workers are not subject to more violence created by uncertainty and confusion.”
Meanwhile, the CDC recommends that you continue to wear masks on public transportation.
I am so sick of you entitled self centered people who only think about yourselves. Thinking that wearing a mask is taking your freedoms. So disgustingly stupid on your part. If there was a huge hurricane and government tells you to stay indoors you all would run out screaming but my freedom as you jumped into the hurricane and die.
Keep your disgusting germs to yourself. Dont think masks work ask any doctor or nurse why they are wearing them. Sure if you wear a sock or a shirt around your neck your right masks dont work. No not everyone is going to get covid and so many millions of lives have been saved by the vaccine and masks yet all yall are still here whining about it. Dont wear a mask see if I care but when you get ill oh well!
How protected am I from Covid-19 if I wear a mask in public places but others around me don’t?
While face masks offer the most protection against the spread of virus-carrying particles in the air when everyone wears them, masks can protect the wearer alone, research suggests, by acting as a barrier between particles and their nose and mouth.
One-way masking — when one person is masked and others are not — depends mainly on two factors: how well your mask fits and how effectively the mask material filters out particles that can carry viruses, said Chris Cappa, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis who studies aerosol particles and masks.
part 1
Masks like N95s and KN95s will generally be more protective than surgical masks or cloth masks because they can make a tighter seal against your face, he told CNN. So, “a well-fit N95 can reduce the amount of potentially infectious particles that you inhale by more than a factor of 20 times,” Cappa said.
In addition to wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask, taking steps including getting vaccinated, testing yourself for Covid-19 and making sure spaces you’re in are well-ventilated can make it safe for people — even those at higher risk for more severe illness — to travel, said Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.part 2
“A tighter seal and the N95 / KN95 don’t allow various size particles to past through.”
People talk masks BUT they don’t stipulate WHAT type. The N95 or KN95 (made to US Standards) are the most effective. The cloth “cutie designer or plain cloth masks are less than effective.
My daughter is a teaching physician at a university med center. When this COVID crap started the Infectious Diseases Dept was culturing the virus off of staff lab coats SO they no longer allow physicians to wear their traditional white lab coats on patient rounds and they must change into hospital scrubs when coming on duty, discard scrubs and change into street clothes when leaving, plus wear an N95 mask at all times. Plus double mask when entering a COVID pt. room.
To my understanding, since the U.S. Attorney filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ige & the Attorney General’s Office in Hawaii & local Health Dept. were in agreement with some of the Governor’s outlandish restrictions, pretty much everything having to do with restrictions was turned over & is currently under the DOD (Dept. Of Defense). The DOD oversees all.
Well the airlines should just keep the food and drinks flowing because we all know you can’t spread or get Covid when you are eating or drinking! LOL
They lifted the mask mandate, in the UK & EU, for Europe, 4 weeks ago. Last week they interviewed the CEO’s of Easy Jet & Ryan Air & because of the mask mandates being lifted the fallout was that Flight Crews & Flight Attendants were getting sick from the new COVID variant. They were canceling many flights over Easter weekend. The US usually follows what happens, COVID wise, in Europe 4 weeks later. That’ll be right before Memorial Day! Unintended Consequences!
All of a sudden after most of the population is vaccinated (77% received atleast 1 dose in the US, and 65% are fully vaccinated), everyone is getting sick more than before the vaccines…why is that?! a good question to ask yourself! If the vaccines were supposed to prevent transmission/prevent sickness, then why is everyone getting sick? Maybe it’s because the studies show that the more vaccine doses received, the higher your chances of getting Covid. All I hear about is the vaccinated getting sick, it’s only the vaccinated getting sick with Covid, why is that?? The data also shows, masks don’t work, by the way.
Susie that is a lie. Plain and simple. Yes some will die and its mostly people who are older with co morbidities that would have gotten them anyway eventually. There is No study at least not a legitimate one that states the more vaccines you get the more likely you are to get it. This clearly shows you know nothing about MNRA technology as it does not carry any I will repeat any live virus. So please stop with your lies. All you hear about. Yes I am sure in your conspiracy filled world and sites that you visit on the interwebs tell you that. Your being fooled and look like a fool when you make comments like this.
We will be Wearing our Masks this December when we return to Hawaii.We have traveled to the Islands for over 40 years and just about every time we Return We both end up with some sort of Respiratory illness! Coughing,Sneezing passengers in near proximity,Unsanitized surfaces, seats, tray tables, Seatbelts.I have had access to Clinical disinfectant wipes and PPE’s which have limited Us getting Sick. Once after using my gloves, and wipes the First Class Attendant offered me a 2×2 Alcohol wipe? REALLY, what was up with That? I guess at least he offered?
We hope that Airlines will be part of the Solution by doing a Better Job disinfecting the Planes between Flights? WE also hope that Passengers that are sick do the Right thing and STAY home.
Another political judge trying to make a name for themselves. I wish we all could just be smart and continue to wear them. Remember what happened last time we all lowered our masks? Why not hang out just a little longer say till school is out and spring is here.
Yes, you may be right in your perspective that it was a political move by a judge. But let’s back up a second and see what she said in the ruling. She said point blank that the CDC needed to follow the rule of law when it came to rulemaking. Now we understand that for a short period of time, emergency rules should be implemented for safety – I am not going to argue that point. What I am going to point out is that after two years, it’s more than enough time to do one of three things: 1. Formally adopt the rules through the rule-making process, which protects the minority voice as well as the majority; 2. Drop it because the emergency period has passed, or 3. Congress passes a law making the mandatory rules law.
I did not get covid, a cough, cold flu or any other respiratory virus while masked. Just recently after being around someone I got a freaking cold. Mask back on because I am not going to share that with you.
And we wonder why millions of our fellow citizens die each year. NO one cares about anyone but themselves. This will be the destruction of our once great nation because no one gives a crap about anyone but themselves anymore.
All good you have Florida governor who is quickly taking half of his states citizens rights away but your worried about a damn mask.
Good!!! I hope the ruling stands. The CDC Never had the authority to order that masks be worn on public transportation or in airports. For people that want to continue to wear a mask, they are free to do so. For the rest of us, we are free to breathe fresh air and NOT wear one.
I echo PAMM’s comment, “anyone caught trying to harm another person on a flight I’m on is in clear and present danger of being hog tied and stuffed under a seat!!!”
oh but its ok for you to feel you are somehow better than others and dont need to wear a mask. its this very attitude that spread this virus all over the place. Wear a mask its not that hard. CDC was well within its rights to do so and scotus has ruled in favor of these regulations many times in the past.
They most certainly do have the power and right to put out those rules however it was individual mandates from governnors etc not the freaking CDC. SO you act like the CDC forced you to do something they did nothing of the sort.
Mahalo Jeff and Rob for “opening this can of worms”.
I can say that this situation is as clear as mud. The insanity is getting worse by the day. Today I quit wearing a mask. Today I was verbally assaulted by several people.
I’m sick of the hypocrisy.
I’d also like to say that ANYONE causing violence on a flight, for any reason should be fined into oblivion and banned from flying for life!!
Also be warned, anyone caught trying to harm another person on a flight I’m on is in clear and present danger of being hog tied and stuffed under a seat!!!
Just the facts 😊Aloha and blessings to you both 🌺🌺🌺🌺
Hi Pam.
Thanks. Good to hear from you and back at you.
Aloha.
Anecdotal on a flight from Jamaica to London 80% of the crew caught covid (I know one of them). We don’t know how many passengers picked it up as there’s no checks on anyone in London and because England has made masks optional a couple of months ago, it’s personal choice as to whether you wear one on the flight. The crew weren’t wearing masks.
And then you also look at the mess some of the major airlines in the UK which dropped their mask requirements now all having problems with actually having any staff to work the flights as they’re all off sick. None of these issues before when everyone was wearing masks.
Thanks for keeping us all informed about these changes.
Hi Fran.
Thanks. Very interesting.
Aloha.
On that flight to London you talked about a high percentage of the crew having covid, I believe. But that’s always the talk today and never how many people have been hospitalized. When was it ever discussed about how many people have a cold or flu, never that I remember. Let’s keep things in perspective, people are getting and passing on a highly contagious virus, period. Very few are going into hospitals and dying today. An example, the city of Philadelphia has 1.6 million people and 54 hospitalizations. Enough said. Wear a mask if you wish, but don’t make me wear one if I choose not to.
Thank you for my rambling!!!😎 Seeyou on Kauai April 24th and Aloha!😎😎🌴🌴🐠🐠☀️☀️🥥🥥
Fran, so obviously through your anecdotal evidence, the vax does not work. So why should we listen to the CDC since that is all they have been preaching, get vaccinated to protect yourselves and others. I completed the vax series 14 months ago but choose not to get the booster. I’ve been flying back in fourth to the mainland 10 times and have been through SFO, Denver, Houston, Detroit, Orlando, Chicago etc. In addition I flew to two countries overseas. I took 6 – 10 hours to eat my bag of pretzels and drink my cocktails. Never got covid. I’m going to Eastern Europe. I’ll let y’all know what happens :). Remember, the CDC’s report states anxiety and FEAR as being the 2nd highest issue to people who died from Covid.