Judge in Florida demands CDC prove the efficacy of mask mandates

 Red States:

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The judge in the case is apparently not going to let the CDC skate by. He asked the federal bureaucracy to provide actual evidence for its claims about mask efficacy.

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... If the CDC can’t provide objective data, they shouldn’t be allowed to throw their weight around the way they have, and even if they have objective data on an issue, how broad their power is remains a very serious question.

The judge in the case pressed the federal government heavily on that, leading to this remarkable exchange.

When pressed on what level of transmission would require agency action, Powell said the agency has broad authority from Congress to prevent the interstate and international transmission of disease, and there’s a need for “enforceable public health measures.” Legally, the agency has the power to try to reduce transmission to zero, even if that may not be practical in the coronavirus’ immediate future, she said.

Percival, for the state of Florida, pounced on that statement.

If that’s true, “it’s unclear what they cannot do,” he said. “They can bar your doors. … That is an astronomical power.”

Florida’s counsel has it right. By the CDC’s telling, they can literally violate everyone’s rights from here unto eternity by pressing for zero transmission — when that’s impossible. When asked for specifics to back up their vast guidelines, they kept shooting blanks.

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It is interesting that the CDC was unprepared for a question of the efficacy of the masks.  They have apparently gotten away with a cancel culture approach to the issue before this.  What is also weird is that they allowed vaccinated people to meet without masks in most situations.