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Miller-Meeks Joins Letter to TSA to Allow Mask Mandate to Expire

March 9, 2022

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, March 9th, 2022, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), a physician and former Director of Public Health for the State of Iowa, joined over 90 House Republicans, led by Reps. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), in a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requesting that it allow the mask mandate for air travel, which is currently extended through March 18th, 2022, to expire, citing new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“There is no scientific reason for the TSA to extend the current mask mandate, especially given the high-quality air filtration technology on planes. Just like in schools, businesses, grocery stores, and almost anywhere else in the country, there should not be a mask mandate while flying,” said Miller-Meeks. “If passengers or crew wish to wear a mask, that should be their right and their personal choice. We should not be subjecting anyone to this mandate, especially given the latest CDC guidance on indoor mask-wearing.”

“If you can go maskless for hours in an indoor crowded space like a sports arena, a concert, or in a restaurant, you can go maskless on an airplane,” said LaMalfa. “Airplanes are outfitted with particulate air filters, making it as safe – if not safer – to be maskless in an airplane than any other crowded indoor area. Passengers should decide for themselves whether they want to wear a mask or not.”

“It is past time that the Biden Administration follows the science and allows Americans to return to normalcy,” said Reschenthaler. “Given the substantial decline in Covid-19 cases and the incredible effectiveness of airplane filtration systems, the risk of COVID exposure on an airplane is extremely low. TSA should let its mask mandate expire and permit passengers to decide whether to wear a mask.”

To read the full letter, click HERE.

Background:

Due to a strong decline in COVID-19 cases, the CDC’s latest guidance eliminates indoor mask requirements for much of the population. Advanced filtration on airplanes makes the risk of COVID-19 exposure on planes extremely low.

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