Pandemic shut-in Oprah Winfrey thinks it’s too soon for Americans to stop wearing masks on commercial flights and other forms of mass transportation.
Winfrey told the Los Angeles Times that she was so afraid of catching COVID-19 during 2020, that she refused to leave her $40 million Santa Barbara, California mansion for 332 days. Now that she’s out of her self-imposed luxury quarantine, the former talk show host isn’t ready for the government to roll back pandemic precautions.
“I personally think it’s too soon to be removing masks from planes. But that’s what people choose to do. And if I were on a commercial plane, I would be one of the people who would still be wearing my mask,” Winfrey remarked.
A federal judge struck down the national mask mandate on April 18, and the Biden administration appealed the controversial ruling days later after a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“It is CDC’s continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health,” the agency said in a statement.
“CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary. CDC believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC’s legal authority to protect public health,” they continued.
Winfrey agrees that masking should be government regulated, but if it isn’t, she “would be one of the people still wearing my masks in an enclosed building with people who I didn’t know if they were or were not vaccinated.”
“But that is just me,” she continued. “And I certainly accept that there are other people who disagree. I’m OK with that as long as I can wear mine.”
Despite her extremely long quarantine period, “The Color Purple” producer is aware that hiding out in a multi-million dollar mansion for nearly a year isn’t an option for everyday Americans.
“You can do that when you don’t have to worry about where your next paycheck is coming from. I didn’t have to worry about ”Am I going to have rent? Am I going to be able to get food? Am I going to be able to keep the lights on and am I going to be able to take care of my children?” She questioned.
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Harpo, we prefer you with your mask on! According to Dr. Fauci a clear plastic bag works even better and you can see where you are going. The key to its efficacy is to get a good seal around your neck, duct tape or a zip tie work particularly well. You are welcome!
I’m fine if she chooses to wear a mask, as long as I’m not forced to. Of course if she’s not wearing a KN95 or N95, she might as well not bother.
I’m sure she doesn’t fly coach or on any commercial jet. If she wants to continue wearing a mask on her private jet, or anywhere else, she’s free to do so. BUT she’s not free to dictate her preferences to me.