On Monday, a federal judge in Florida voided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's nationwide travel mask mandate for planes, buses, trains, and all public transit. As a result of this ruling, mask-wearing has become optional on Massachusetts
public transportation systems, as well as on airlines.
The physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) strongly recommend that all individuals who are at high-risk for COVID-19 or who live with a person at increased risk continue to mask in all indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status.
Vaccines and boosters remain the most effective tools to protect oneself and one’s close contacts against COVID-19 and are proven to reduce hospitalizations and death.
Decisions informed by data are key to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. With the BA.2 Omicron subvariant continuing to spread across Massachusetts, and other indicators of community spread rising, the Medical Society recommends older adults, individuals
who are not up-to-date on vaccines, who have underlying conditions, or are immunocompromised, and children too young to be vaccinated (and their parents) continue to mask on public transit and other indoor public places. We must respect and avoid
stigmatizing anyone who chooses to continue to wear a mask to protect their health and the health of others.
The MMS urges anyone who has questions about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy to speak with their physician or health care provider.
-Carole E. Allen, MD, MBA, FAAP, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
