Delta Backs Down From COVID-19 Description

Delta Air Lines has backed down from its description of COVID-19 it made Monday in a statement following the ruling by a federal judge that ended the federal transportation mask mandate.

In a blog post, Delta said it was “relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 has transitioned to an ordinary seasonal virus.”

The Atlanta-based airline’s description of COVID-19 drew quite the rebuke on social media, according to multiple media outlets including National Public Radio.

Delta has since removed the phrasing “ordinary seasonal virus” from the post in the wake of the backlash.

It now reads, “We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 transitions to a more manageable respiratory virus — with better treatments, vaccines and other scientific measures to prevent serious illness.”