Dr. Anthony Fauci, AKA the High Priest of the Branch Covidians, on Sunday gave some dire, but predictable news on how long Americans will have to wear face masks on airplanes, supposedly to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. His remarks will likely elicit a strong backlash given that what he suggests does not appear to be necessary.

During an appearance on ABC News’ “This Week” with host Jonathan Karl, Fauci was asked about comments coming from the CEOs of top airlines indicating that people are safer on an airplane than in the ICU because of the filtration systems. The host asked Fauci if there will be a time when people no longer have to wear masks while flying.

“I don’t think so,” Fauci replied. “I think when you’re dealing with a close space, even though the filtration is good, that you want to go that extra step.”

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mandates masks on planes and in all airports. President Joe Biden recently used the outbreak of the Omicron variant – which has proven to be far less deadly so far – as an excuse to extend the mask mandate into March 2022.

During testimony before the Senate commerce committee on Wednesday, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said “the case is very strong that masks don’t add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment” and that flying “is very safe and high-quality compared to any other indoor setting.”

America Airlines CEO Doug Parker agreed, stating that an airplane “is the safest place you can be. It’s true of all of our aircraft – they all have the same HEPA filters and air flow.”

Fauci’s comments seem designed to help the White House in its effort to exploit the emergence of the Omicron variant, which is highly transmissible. However, going by the data which has been publicized so far, this variant is nowhere near as deadly as the Delta variant.

Can anyone truly be surprised at Fauci’s declaration?

This is what folks like him have wanted from the beginning. When the pandemic first became an issue, the hard left saw it as an opportunity to expand the power of the government at the federal, state, and local levels. The notion that mask mandates on airplanes should be permanent is pure folly.

If the government attempt to do what Fauci is suggesting, it’s not going to fly (pun intended) with American voters. When more people find out that the science does not back the idea that masks on airplanes make people safer, they won’t be too keen on the idea – especially those who travel frequently.

Even those who have been more amenable to further restrictions due to the pandemic are going to lose their patience. It will get to a point when only the most faithful true believers in government intrusion will still support such an idea. Hopefully, this happens sooner rather than later.