Ross: The federal mask order is not in place to suffocate you
Feb 4, 2021, 7:02 AM | Updated: 10:10 am
A sign reading, 'masks required in this area,' is seen as travelers prepare to check-in for their flight at the Miami International Airport on Feb. 1, 2021 in Miami, Florida. An executive order signed by U.S. President Joe Biden last week mandates mask-wearing on federal property and on public transportation as part of his plan to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
President Biden鈥檚 federal mask order officially kicked in this week, so masks are now mandatory on all forms of public transport from subways to airplanes.
And I鈥檝e already had an email from an agitated listener saying, 鈥渆nough is enough is enough.鈥�
So I took a look at , all 11 pages, and I can report the CDC is not out to suffocate you.
There are the usual exceptions for kids under two and people with medical conditions, and while you鈥檙e eating. But it ALSO says if you鈥檙e feeling winded, you may remove the mask until you feel better.
You may ALSO remove it while talking to a hearing-impaired person who needs to read lips. Seems risky, but there it is.
In fact, there鈥檚 a footnote that reads: 鈥淐DC does not intend to rely primarily on 鈥� criminal penalties but instead strongly encourages and anticipates widespread voluntary compliance.鈥�
A polite way of saying 鈥� we COULD kick you off the plane and arrest you, but we REALLY don鈥檛 want to.
And actually, it doesn鈥檛 use the phrase “kick you off,” it says “disembarking.” Far more dignified.
Bottom line: I know all this is annoying, but an assault on freedom? To me, the assault on freedom is being tethered to a ventilator in the ICU.
By the way, you are also free to remove the mask 鈥淚f the oxygen masks drop due to a sudden loss of cabin pressure.鈥�
Who says the government can鈥檛 be flexible!
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