Markey encourages focus on protecting populations most vulnerable to COVID-19

Washington (March 28, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) today sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) urging them to consider continuing masking requirements on public transportation during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Since February 2021, passengers have been required to wear masks on public transportation and inside transportation hubs. Earlier this month, TSA announced that the CDC was working to develop a new policy for mask use on public transportation.

“Although cases of COVID-19 in the United States have declined from this winter’s peak, the virus continues to pose a threat to the public, particularly for seniors, the immunocompromised, and individuals with disabilities. The emergence of a new and even more transmissible variant only confirms that COVID remains a serious, ongoing danger,” wrote Senator Markey. “For that reason, I urge CDC to consider extending its mask order and continue requiring masks on public and commercial transportation. In any modifications to these requirements, both CDC and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must center efforts to protect the elderly, the immunocompromised, and individuals with disabilities.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE. 

Senator Markey continues to advocate for the federal government to prioritize the safety of vulnerable groups in COVID-19 policies. In July 2021, Senator Markey urged the CDC to expand its data collection on breakthrough COVID-19 cases. In August 2021, Senator Markey urged the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration to quickly approve booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines in response to the wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the Delta variant.

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