Tag Archive for: masks

United, American, Southwest Airlines and Others Say Masks No Longer Required – NBC Chicago

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Monday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle voided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current national mask mandate on airplanes and mass public transit.

The 59-page ruling from the Florida judge said the CDC failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures that left it fatally flawed.

The CDC had recently extended a federal mask mandate on public transit and in public transportation hubs until May 3, to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

Regarding the ruling, a White House administration official on Monday said, “The agencies are reviewing the decision and assessing potential next steps. In the meantime, today’s court decision means CDC’s public transportation masking order is not in effect at this time.

Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time.”

Based on that ruling, here’s a look at which major U.S. airlines are lifting their mask mandates for domestic flights.

American Airlines: Masks No Longer Required

“In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate,” American Airlines said in a statement Monday. “Face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements.”

Alaska Airlines: Masks No Longer Required

“Face masks have been like boarding passes for nearly two years — you couldn’t fly without one,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement. “But, as of today, masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, effective immediately.” 

“Due to a judicial decision in our federal court system, the mask mandate has been overturned, which means our guests and employees have the option to wear a mask while traveling in the U.S. and at work.”

Delta: Masks No Longer Required

“Following the ruling of a…

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Florida Gov. DeSantis scolds students for wearing face masks

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TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis made his frustration with face masks known at a press conference Wednesday morning.

DeSantis was at the University of South Florida to announce funding for cybersecurity education. Before taking the podium to address the audience, the governor scolded a group of high school students behind him who were wearing face masks, WFLA reports.

“You do not have to wear those masks,” DeSantis said. “I mean, please take them off. Honestly, it’s not doing anything and we’ve gotta stop with this COVID theater. So if you want to wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous.”

Hillsborough School District said there were seven students in attendance at the press conference who all attend Middleton High School in Tampa.

“We are excited our students from Middleton High School were highlighted as part of the statewide focus around cyber security education,” said Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis.

“Our Cyber Security pathway at MHS has had tremendous success through student’s earning industry certifications, participating in internships and leading the way in computer systems and information technology. As always, our students should be valued and celebrated.

“It is a student and parents’ choice to protect their health in a way they feel most appropriate. We are proud of the manner in which our students represented themselves and our school district.”

The Florida governor’s opposition to masks is no secret. He made a series of moves last year to block mask mandates, even signing an executive order withholding state funds from schools that impose them.

In February, he endorsed a House proposal to strip $200 million in funding from 12 school districts that defied his order banning mask mandates.

Last month, he also said parents should be given the power to sue school districts if they have a child who “was illegally forced-masked this year in Florida.” DeSantis said students who have speech, emotional and physical problems should also be able to sue.

The…

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Dallas ISD Makes Masks Mandatory as Students Return to Classrooms – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

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What to Know

  • Dallas ISD is temporarily requiring all staff, students and visitors to wear masks when on district property.
  • Superintendent Michael Hinojosa says the measure will help protect staff and students from the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.
  • Hinojosa told NBC 5 last week that he was looking into whether or not Dallas can have virtual as an option later this year.

The Dallas Independent School District will require face masks on district property beginning Tuesday, a move the district says is necessary to help prevent the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa made the announcement during a Monday morning news conference, defying an executive order from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) that prohibits districts from mandating face masks.

“Governor Abbott’s order does not limit the district’s rights as an employer and educational institution to establish reasonable and necessary safety rules for its staff and students,” a district statement read. “Dallas ISD remains committed to the safety of our students and staff.”

The Dallas Independent School District will require face masks on district property beginning Tuesday, a move the district says is necessary to help prevent the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.

Hinojosa, who leads the largest school district in North Texas and second-largest in the state, referenced the recent UT Southwestern COVID-19 forecast which predicts a worrying spike in virus-related hospitalizations by the end of this month if behaviors aren’t changed.

According to the study, should behavior in Dallas and Tarrant counties continue in the current unmitigated, pre-pandemic patterns, with no masking and no social distancing, the number of occupied hospital beds in Dallas County is predicted to reach 1,500 by Aug. 23 and could reach 4,000 by October.

Parents both in and outside of Dallas ISD reacted to the news — many positively.

“My son is behind in school he’s been virtual since March 2020 and he has to go back,” said Brittany Liles, a Frisco ISD parent who chose in-person learning, despite what…

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Spyware Masks Itself as System Update for your Phone, Security Firm Warns

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Spyware on Android phones 
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Pexels/Magnus Mueller
)

Google’s monthly updates are done in order to help keep Android safe from any malicious attacks. So long as you are careful when you are downloading apps outside the Play Store, keeping your device secure is very easy, even as new attackers try to distribute dangerous viruses.

Spyware takes new form

Just this week, mobile security researchers have discovered spyware that pretends to be a system update that could take total control of the phone after it is installed.

The spyware was first discovered by security firm Zimperium. The said malware is surprisingly sophisticated. After it is installed through a bundled app outside of the Play Store, it masks itself using the same notification as a verified update from Google.

Also Read: WhatsApp Sues Spyware Firm Behind U.S. Servers Tampering Using Pegasus

As soon as it is active, nothing is safe from it.

The spyware can view and upload messages, user contacts, bookmarks, and search history. It can track locations, capture photos using the camera, record both phone calls and external audio, and even steal copied content from the phone’s clipboard.

It is important to note that the app that included the spyware was never available in the Play Store, so most Android users do not have to worry about losing control of their phones. It is possible that it was a targeted attack, considering how thoroughly the malware scans a particular device.

Even so, it is an excellent reminder to keep your phone up to date and secure with verified patches from Google and to only download external APKs that you trust, like APK Mirror. 

Protecting smartphones from spyware

This is a warning sign if you usually get odd or unusual social media messages, emails, or text messages. You…

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