NEW YORK — A federal judge in Florida struck down on Monday the Biden administration’s mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods.

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the mandate was unlawful because it exceeded the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and because its implementation violated administrative law.

Former FDA Associate Commissioner Professor Peter Pitts commented:

“If ‘science is back,’ then we must follow where the data leads — even if it makes us personally uncomfortable. We cannot afford to let COVID-19 PTSD influence science-based policy decisions.

This is the proper, science-based decision and reinforces the need for individualized risk assessment — otherwise known as personal responsibility.

Mask mandates do not address this issue. The best way to protect those most at risk is to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans.

Of course, if people want to continue to wear masks on public transportation or in any circumstance, they should do what makes them feel safe.

But mask mandates, will not make vaccinated Americans any safer.

Vaccinated Americans who become infected with the BA2 variant suffer mild symptoms for a short duration. This is why, even with infection rates increasing, hospitalization and death rates continue to fall.

Therefore, removing mask mandates is following the science.”