Joy and relief mainly, but also a certain sense of alarm.

This is how many Americans have reacted to the news of the end of the mandatory use of masks on planes and public transport almost two years after the rule was imposed.

The decision of a Florida judge to annul the measure led the White House to confirm that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will stop enforcing the obligation.

The plan of the Administration of President Joe Biden was to extend the requirement until at least May 3 as a result of the new wave of Covid cases, the fifth, which is raising the number of positives in various parts of the country.

However, Judge Kathryn Kimball, appointed during Donald Trump's term, declared the rule illegal, assuring, among other things, that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had exceeded their authority by extending the deadline while they analyzed the new data.

The list of airlines -and the train and bus system- where the use of a mask is no longer mandatory was not long in coming.

The same Monday the main ones, including Delta, American, United, JetBlue and Southwest, confirmed that from now on it will be optional to wear the mouth and nose during all their journeys.

United Airlines clarified that "masks are no longer required for domestic flights, on certain international flights (depending on the requirements of each country) and at airports in the United States."

Alaska Airlines, for its part, indicated that although they are delighted to see "smiling faces" on board their planes again, "we understand that some may have mixed feelings" about it.

"Remember to be kind to others and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option," they said in a statement.

Olga Martínez is one of those who believes that it is early to celebrate.

"As the director of a school, it seems to me that the decision is somewhat hasty," this entrepreneur from Los Angeles tells EL MUNDO.

"We still don't have a vaccine for the little ones and I plan to continue protecting myself until one arrives," just before taking a flight to Chicago for a conference of businesswomen.

"I would have waited until the summer to take a step like that."

His caution contrasts with the scenes of hubbub that have occurred on some planes in the US after confirming the end of the measure.

Videos of stewardesses collecting masks that passengers gladly threw in the trash have circulated on social networks.

The change also comes as a relief to airline cabin crew, who for two years have had to deal with stressful situations with passengers refusing to cover their mouths and noses.

“I have received nothing but extremely positive responses,” Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen told The New York Times.

There was and still is tension in the air."

This despite the fact that 60% of Americans still support maintaining the use of the mask in certain circumstances and that many consider that the pandemic is not over yet.

The numbers confirm it.

The number of positives has risen 43% in the last two weeks to close to 40,000 daily.

The good news is the continuing decline in hospitalizations and deaths.

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