Travel Secretary Chao has authority to require airline refunds, COVID safety. She should use it. June 17, 2020June 17, 2020 Anna Laitin and William J. McGee, Opinion contributors Comments Off on Secretary Chao has authority to require airline refunds, COVID safety. She should use it. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao could be doing more to protect air travelers amid COVID. Refund and safety decisions should not be up to airlines.