COVID: Not All Bay Area Transit Agencies Lifting Masking Requirement, Causing Some Confusion
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) -- Now that the federal mask mandate is no longer in effect, that doesn't mean it automatically applies for public transportation agencies like Muni and BART.
That is causing confusion for many riders.
"I thought you didn't have to wear it. I wasn't aware there is a mandate. I'm hearing that from you," BART rider Ali Sabzwari told KPIX.
COVID Mask Mandate: Where Bay Area Airports and Transit Agencies Stand
Sabzwari commutes regularly from Hayward into San Francisco for work. He says he was the only one not wearing a mask Tuesday.
Most commuters we spoke to weren't even aware of the change in federal rules or that transportation agencies at the state and local level will have the authority to keep mandates still intact.
"It's never been a big deal for me, so I'll probably end up wearing it," said commuter Blake Mason.
Similar to indoor and school masking mandates after state requirements were lifted, some local jurisdictions, cities, and counties kept them in place.
The majority have now followed suit but keeping track of which counties, agencies, and school districts are going against federal or state policy can be difficult.
"I've noticed some people being confused. But from my own personal perspective, I just feel more comfortable with my mask on," said Bryce Caro.
Some transit agencies like Caltrain are taking to Twitter, saying it's not lifting the mandate just yet.
"It doesn't seem like we are in a huge surge right now, so we should be able to relax," said Sabzwari.
Even if transit officials eventually roll back restrictions, remaining signage, until it's taken down, will only add to the confusion.
"If you're not feeling well, you should mask up. But if you feel ok, you should be allowed to take the mask off," said Sabzwari.
"I don't mind wearing it. I have bad breath a lot of the time, so maybe it's saving people from my bad breath," said Mason.
According to a UC Berkeley infectious disease doctor this is a bad time to be lifting restrictions as the positivity rate climbs in California.
"It's going in such a pace that I don't think people are seeing it or feeling it. That's good in some respects but it's also dangerous because it lulls you into a false sense of security," Dr. John Swartzberg.
Dr. Swartzberg says with more at-home Covid tests and a lack of testing overall, we may not be seeing the whole picture when it comes to a rise in cases. Hospitalizations have remained steady but those numbers tend to lag a week or two behind. Dr. Swartzberg feels this just isn't the time to get rid of mandates.
"In a midst of another rise in cases which we are experiencing now, we ought to be doing more things to protect us as opposed to taking away things that offer another layer of protection," he says.
Travelers flying in and out of Oakland International Airport shared their thoughts.
"It was very liberating and it was just so nice to be in the plane on two very long flights and it was nice to not have to wear a mask." said Lisa Montalvo.
Sue Tico on the other hand says, "90-95% of the passengers were not wearing their masks today. So we kept our masks on the whole time. We just are not very certain about the BA.2 variant."
Katie Rabek, a mother of a 14-month-old toddler was especially concerned as she flew back from a family vacation.
"I might've had a second thought about flying if I knew it was optional with the crowds over spring break because of her and not being able to protect her."
Andrea Nakano contributed to this report.
