Boston doctor reacts to CDC’s latest extension of mask mandate for planes, trains and buses
Updated: 6:15 PM EDT Apr 13, 2022
ANNOUNCER: YOU’RE WATCHING WCVB NEWSCENTER 5 AT 5:30. ERIKA: THE CDC DECIDES TO EXTEND THE FACE MASK RULE FOR THE NATION’S PLANES, TRAINS, AND BUSES FOR TWO WEEKS, AS THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES CONTINUES TO RISE. HERE TO ANERSW QUESTIONS IS DR. DANIEL KURITZKES, CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPALIT BEN: THIS REQUIREMENT WAS SET TO EXPIRE MONY.DA NOW IT’S EXTENDED TWO MORE WEEKS. WHY IS THAT AND IS IT POSSIBLE IT WILLET G EXTENDED AGAIN? >> I THINK THE EXTENSION OF THE MASK MANDATE FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT IS RELATED TO THE UPTICK IN CASES THAT WE’RE SEEGIN FUELED BYHE TA2 B VARIANT. IT’S CLEAR THAT VARIANT MAKES UP THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASESN I COVID-19. WE’RE SEEING CASES RISE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND PARTICULAR HERE IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA. THIS IS POSSIBLE THIS WILL BE EXTENDED BEYOND TWO WEEKS. ERIKA: STATES ALREADY ROLLED BACK THE RULES FOR WEARING FACE MASKS IN RESTAURANTS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER INDOOR LOCATIONS. SO WHY REQUIRE THEM FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IF THEY’RE NOT REQUIRED ANYWHERE ELSE? >> YOU CHOOSE WHETHER TO GO TO A RESTAURANTR O CERTAIN INDOOR VENUES OR NOT. MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE PUBLIC TRSIANT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO OTHER MEANS GETTING TO WORK. YOU ARE LIKELY TOE B PACKED IN TIGHTLY ON A T TRAIN OR A BUS THAN YOU ARE IN A RESTAURANTR O AAT THEATER. BEN: DR. KURITZKES IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR. IT’S EASTER AND PASSOVER THIS WEEKEND. A LOT OF FAMILIES WILL BE TRAVELING FOR APRIL VACATION AS EARLY AS THIS FRIDAY. IF EVERYONE IS FULLY VACCINAD,T KIDS OVER 5 AND ADULTS VACCINATED AND BOOSTED. CAN THEY FEEL SAFE GOING OUT TO RESTAURANTS? OR STAYING AT A HOTEL? >> I THINK PEOPLE CAN CERTAINLY FEEL SAFE SYITANG AT A HOTEL. I THINK GOING TO A RESTAURANT DEPENDS ON YOUR OWN INDIVIDLUA RISK IF YOU’RE HEALTHY AND VACCINATED. YES, FOR THE MOST PART, PEOPLE CAN FEEL SAFE GOING TO RESTAURANTS. IF YOU’RE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED AND HAVE CONCERNED HOW PROTECTED YOU ARE FROM THE VACCINE, YOU WANT TO BE A BIT MORE CAUTIOUS. ERIKA: KIDS UNDER 5 WITH NO VACCINE, WT’SHA YOUR ADVICE FOR FAMILIES? >> I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO. TRY TO AVOID VENUES WHERE THERE MAYBE LARGE NUMBERS OF UNVACCINEDAT PEOPLE. THAT MIGHT AVOIDING STATES WHERE THERE’S LARGE NUMBER OF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE. BEN: DR. DANIEL KURITZKES CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE
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Boston doctor reacts to CDC’s latest extension of mask mandate for planes, trains and buses
Updated: 6:15 PM EDT Apr 13, 2022
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided to extend the face mask rule for the nation’s planes, trains and buses for additional two weeks.The requirement was originally set to expire a month ago, but it was extended to Monday and now extended for two more weeks.Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explains why the CDC chose to extend the requirement and whether it’s possible it will get extended once again.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided to extend the face mask rule for the nation’s planes, trains and buses for additional two weeks.
The requirement was originally set to expire a month ago, but it was extended to Monday and now extended for two more weeks.
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Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explains why the CDC chose to extend the requirement and whether it’s possible it will get extended once again.