Delta Airlines (DAL  ) has become the target of widespread criticism following an announcement in which the company initially referred to COVID-19 as "an ordinary seasonal virus". The now-edited announcement came after the Biden Administration's mask mandate on airports and airlines was lifted.

"We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 has transitioned to an ordinary seasonal virus," the first version of the announcement read on Monday, April 18.

Almost immediately, critics took to social media to call out Delta for its "bonkers" announcement, referring to the characterization of COVID as misleading and inaccurate. Along with pointing out that the coronavirus can continue to spread regardless of the season, critics also stressed the fact that the mandates were removed due to a judge's ruling rather than new scientific information.

Many social media users also noted that COVID-19 has killed nearly one million Americans in two years, vastly more than the number of deaths caused by seasonal illnesses. Many called the Delta announcement disrespectful of those who have lost their lives or loved ones to the virus, as well as those who remain highly vulnerable.

A large portion of the critical posts came from epidemiologists, including Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, who called the Delta announcement "misinformation" and "nonsense".

"My source says that Delta did not consult with its senior medical advisor before releasing this misinformation," Feigl-Ding wrote. "Hope Delta will correct ASAP!"

In fact, Delta did update the content in the announcement the following day at 10 a.m. ET. The statement now includes a disclaimer that the information has been updated "for clarity and accuracy".

"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," the updated version reads.

However, the announcement isn't the only time that Delta has likened COVID to a "seasonal virus". After the airline ended its $200 monthly company health insurance surcharge for unvaccinated employees, CEO Ed Bastian said that Delta had decided to drop the charge "given the fact that we really do believe that the pandemic has moved to a seasonal virus."

Along with the pointed criticism, countless social media users also said that they will never fly with Delta again.

Soon after the removal of the Federal mask mandate, the major airlines began making statements letting passengers know where they will stand on mask-wearing moving forward. Nearly all gave blanket statements that mask-wearing would now be optional on all of their flights. United Airlines (UAL  ) said that masks will still be required on flights to international locations with mandates, and Frontier Airlines (ULCC  ) said that some individual airports and cities may still require masks.