For millions of american travelers after a federal judge earlier this week struck down the federal travel mask mandate, leaving major airlines like delta, united and spirit to drop their passenger masking requirements but not some airports. the justice department saying on tuesday that it will appeal the ruling if, if the cdc thinks the mandate should stay in place. joining us now is nbc news reporter gary grumbach and dr. kavita patel. she s a former health policy adviser for the obama drings and a current nbc contributor. so gary, you made a mileage run down to atl yesterday. you re on the ground today at a metro stop here in d.c. how are you seeing people react to this new guidance, this confusion? reporter: hey there, garrett. the level here in d.c. far exceeds that in other parts of the country, atl included. but there s no mandate here in d.c. whatsoever. it s entirely voluntary to wear a mask if you want to. but that s not the case in every part of the country. up in new york