Last year, federal district Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle attracted widespread attention when she issued a decision holding that the Centers for Disease Control mask mandate for airline flights, airports, and other transportation settings was illegal. The ruling was much criticized by legal commentators and by mandate advocates who felt the CDC rule was an essential tool for combatting the Covid-19 pandemic. But mandate opponents celebrated, and some passengers cheered when they heard about the ruling in mid-flight and were able to remove their masks.
