Sotomayor returns to Supreme Court bench as the only justice wearing a mask

Justice Sonia Sotomayor was back on the bench for oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Tuesday after participating remotely during the court’s January sitting that came during a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant.

Sotomayor was the only justice wearing a mask on Tuesday. She suffers from diabetes that puts her in a high-risk category for Covid.

All of the justices are fully vaccinated, have received booster shots and are tested regularly, according to a court spokesperson.

During the January session, Sotomayor did not participate in person because she didn’t feel comfortable at the time sitting on the bench near