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Senator Dianne Feinstein, who called for mask mandate in airports, pictured without mask in airport

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PHOTO CREDITS: FOX NEWS

Senator Dianne Feinstein, who called for a mask mandate in public transport, was pictured walking in Dulles International Airport without a mask on Friday, September 25, first aired on Fox News the following Monday.

According to Fox News, the controversy of this action is found in Feinstein’s letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on June 30, calling for mandatory mask mandates in airports, airplanes, and public transit throughout the country. “I write to urge you to implement a mandatory mask policy for all airport and

airline employees and passengers as cases of coronavirus continue to surge,” she writes. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a comprehensive strategy to protect oneself from exposure to coronavirus while traveling on public transit, including the use of a mask, since social distancing is oftentimes not manageable on a crowded bus, train, or plane.” 

Feinstein’s letter to the FAA and FTA cites the CDC, The World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Airports Council International (ACI) to support her argument that masks should be worn in public transit. No response to the news coverage has been found on Feinstein’s social media, though many took to Twitter to denounce the Senator’s actions.

Tucker Carlson, a television presenter for Fox News, compared the incident to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s mishap on August 31. Pelosi had been caught on a security camera in a San Francisco salon with her mask around her neck. She later called the incident a “setup.” Pelosi’s spokesperson Drew Hammil said in a statement that she had made the appointment because the salon had told her that she could be accommodated within the city’s guidelines.

Feinstein, the Senate’s oldest serving member at 87, is considered to be high risk, should she contract COVID-19. A trend of US politicians not wearing masks is not exclusive to Feinstein and Pelosi, however. Tom Rice, a South Carolina congressman contracted COVID-19 after appearing on the House floor without a mask. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina senator did not wear a mask on Thursday, August 27, the last night of the Republican National Convention. Tillis reported Friday, October 2 that he had contracted the virus. Senators Mike Lee and Ron Johnson announced that they had been infected with Coronavirus Friday and Saturday.

ARTICLE: EVAN STOGSDILL

EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

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