The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention planned to issue a mandatory order last month requiring all passengers and staff in public and private transportation systems to cover their faces, but the White House blocked it, federal health officials disclosed on the 9th.
The New York Times reported on two health officials who did not want to be named that the "mask order" if issued would be the most stringent federal anti epidemic compulsory measures so far. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) originally required passengers on planes, trains, buses and subways to use face masks throughout the journey. Passengers entering airports, bus stations and railway stations should also wear masks to curb the spread of the virus.
The "mask order" was developed under the supervision of CDC director Robert Redfield and supported by health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, but the White House coronavirus response working group led by Vice President Mike Pence declined to discuss relevant policies, the report said. The federal government now requires that all anti epidemic decisions be finalized by this working group.
A member of the working group said that it should be up to the state government and other local governments to decide whether to wear masks, that is, local governments need to make decisions based on the local epidemic situation.
The United States Federation of labor and industry unions petitioned the federal government in July on behalf of 33 transportation system unions to ask passengers to wear masks when riding the bus system, but the petition was rejected last week.
Larry Willis, director of transportation and trade affairs of the Federation of labor and industry, said the current "mask orders" for airplanes, trains and buses across the United States are different, putting a large number of employees at risk. "I think it will bring uncertainty to the health and safety of employees and passengers. This is a global epidemic, a national crisis. We should implement national standards. "
According to the New York Times, many people feel that the federal government has turned wearing masks into a "political expression.". Before blocking the "mask order", the White House repeatedly intervened in CDC operations. At the end of September, the center for Disease Control and prevention originally asked all cruise ships to be suspended until the middle of February next year, which was overthrown by the coronavirus response working group. The suspension caused opposition from the Florida tourism industry. Florida is one of the important swing states in presidential election.
Previously, many white house and health officials appointed by the president repeatedly rewritten the CDC's epidemic prevention recommendations, including whether to reopen schools and how to do new coronavirus testing.