DETROIT (AP) — Toyota is recalling about 460,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a software problem that can inadvertently disable the electronic stability control system.

The automaker says that when the vehicles are restarted, in rare cases the software may not automatically switch the system into the “on” mode. That can disable the system, which uses a computer to individually brake wheels to help drivers keep control.

The recall covers vehicles from the 2020 to 2022 model years including the Toyota brand’s

Venza,

Mirai,

RAV4 Hybrid,

RAV4 Prime,

Sienna Hybrid,

Highlander Hybrid,

LS500h,

LX600,

NX350h,

NX450h-plus from the Lexus luxury brand.

Dealers will update software on the skid control computer to fix the problem. Owners will be notified by mid-June.

By David Shepardson and Rajesh Kumar Singh

WASHINGTON/Chicago, April 18 (Reuters) – The Biden administration will no longer enforce a U.S. mask mandate on public transportation, after a federal judge in Florida on Monday ruled that the 14-month-old directive was unlawful, overturning a key White House effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Soon after the announcement, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines relaxed the restrictions effective immediately on all domestic flights.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, an appointee of President Donald Trump, came in a lawsuit filed last year in Tampa, Florida, by a group called the Health Freedom Defense Fund.

Judge Mizelle said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had exceeded its authority with the mandate, had not sought public comment and did not adequately explain its decisions.

A U.S. administration official said while the agencies were assessing potential next steps, the court’s decision meant CDC’s public transportation masking order was no longer in effect. The administration could still opt to appeal the order or seek an emergency delay in the order’s enforcement.

“Therefore, TSA will not enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs at this time,” the official said in a statement.

“CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.”

The ruling comes as COVID-19 infections rise again in the United States, with 36,251 new infections reported on average each day, and 460 daily deaths, based on a seven-day average – the highest number of reported total COVID-19 deaths in the world.

The White House called the ruling “disappointing.”

Last week, U.S. health officials extended by 15 days the mandate requiring travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains, and in taxis, ride-share vehicles or transit hubs, saying they needed time to assess the impact of a recent rise in COVID-19 cases.

Industry groups and Republican lawmakers had wanted the administration to end the 14-month-old mask mandate last week.

United Airlines said Monday masks are no longer required on domestic flights and select international ones, or at U.S. airports. Alaska Airlines said face masks are now optional on its planes.

The TSA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) declined to comment. The CDC declined to comment.

The CDC first issued a public health order requiring masks in interstate transportation in February 2021. The TSA issued a security directive to enforce the CDC order.

Since January 2021, there have been a record 7,060 unruly passenger incidents reported, 70% involving masking rules, according to the FAA.

After the ruling, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, urged “calm and consistency in the airports and on planes. The last thing we need for workers on the frontlines or passengers traveling today is confusion and chaos.”

Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. passenger airlines, said after the announcement they are “strong advocates for eliminating pandemic-era policies and are encouraged by the lifting of the federal transportation mask mandate.”

The U.S. Senate voted 57-40 last month to overturn the public health order requiring masks on airplanes and other forms of public transportation, drawing a veto threat from President Joe Biden.

Transportation

Our free transportation services provide rides to community meal programs, senior centers, and rides to medical appointments. Additionally, neighborhood vans are provided for errands such as grocery shopping, banking, or visiting friends. We understand the impact that access to affordable transportation options has for older adults or persons with limited mobility. We enable individuals to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Call to schedule a ride in advance. Rides are free, but donations are welcome.
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Hyde Shuttle

Connecting Communities Through Transportation
Transportation is a vital service for older adults that seek to maintain their independence. Hyde Shuttle drivers and volunteer drivers help aging adults get to and from errands, attend activities and medical appointments, and remain connected to their communities. Learn more about Hyde Shuttle and Volunteer Transportation.

Hyde Shuttles transport older adults (55+) and adults with disabilities of all ages to hot lunches at community partner sites, senior centers, grocery shopping, and other errands within King County, Washington.

Go to Hyde Shuttle
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Volunteer Transportation
Volunteer Transportation helps older adults (60+) get to medical, dental, and other essential healthcare appointments.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — On Friday afternoon, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced that he is rescinding the state’s travel advisory, which he put into place back in November 2020.

Instead of providing the state with its own travel advisory, Governor Inslee and the state of Washington are expected to follow the travel advisory set in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States.

Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

Additionally, the following recommendations have been advised by CDC officials:

If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Before you travel, get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.
Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public.
Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you.

Get tested 3-5 days after your trip and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.

IMPORTANT On Thursday, October 1, Metro will resume collecting fares for all transit services: buses, Access paratransit, Seattle Streetcar (First Hill and South Lake Union), Vanpool, Via to Transit and other flexible services, and water taxi (Vashon Island and West Seattle). Fare collection is already taking place on Sound Transit Express bus and Sound Transit light rail.