Will we always be wearing masks on aircraft now?

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

Given the pandemic is now endemic, is there a real path to not having to wear one for hours at a time?
Not looking for a pro mask vs. anti mask debate, am asking from a customer experience standpoint, has any airline in the small no of countries who have ended restrictions lifted the mask mandate for air travel?

[davidjohnson6]

I think some small carriers in Iceland in late June 2021 allowed domestic flights to be mask free (or didn't bother enforcing masks being needed) - think 9 or 19 seat props going to remote areas. At the time, Iceland had essentially zero domestic cases - all reported cases came from compulsory PCR testing of all pax on arrival at Keflavik. Then Iceland relaxed Covid controls a bit too much, and Covid reappeared in July in a big way, and the airlines changed their policies

[BRUpax]

Good question. I want to start flying again but wearing a mask for more than 20 minutes and I feel as if I'm suffocating! Why should fully vaccinated passengers need to wear a mask?

[Asturias56]

In case you are a carrier

[SpringHeeledJack]

That's the irony, all the jabbed are as likely to carry the covid virus as the un-jabbed. Studies (from Israel i think) suggested that inoculated persons had a much higher viral load whilst being asymptomatic, compared to the non persons whose asymptomatic viral load was quite a bit less. . The takeaway from this study was that masks were still needed so as to stop the asymptomatic spread to persons (jabbed or un-jabbed) whose ability to fend off the effects of covid might be less.

I suppose that if mask-averse (as in wearing one for ages) then to find one/style that makes the wearing of it the least uncomfortable. Hopefully those much lauded HEPA filters will do a good job of scrubbing the cabin air. I have a feeling that masks and aircraft will be together for a good while yet. Whether due to fear of being sued by passengers or some form of control mechanism.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

In case you are a carrier
This means masks forever, which is my worry. COVID is unarguably endemic now, so we need to live with it. Once most of us are vaccinated, I am willing to bet they'll still insist on facemasks. And I am loath to spend money on long haul travel while I need to mask up. From a customer experience standpoint, I don't want to be around people in that environment, call it a trigger if you like. But with COP in Glasgow coming up, I wonder if they will insist on masks in future in a bid to help mitigate non essential travel?

Building back better? (Til the lights go off this winter!)

[tdracer]

Some airlines are actually becoming more restrictive regarding mask as international travel picks back up. Specifically, they are mandating specific types of masks (e.g. N95), not just any cloth mask that you want to use.
Aside from the general dislike of wearing masks for an extended period (recently flew Seattle to Washington DC and back - ~5 hrs. each way, plus mandatory masks in the airport - yuk), it's the view of masks as some sort of magic bullet that annoys me. Yes, masks help, but not nearly as much the politicians imply. One study showed mask use reducing transmissible of Covid by only 8%. Better than nothing, but not much...

[SpringHeeledJack]

I wonder if they will insist on masks in future in a bid to help mitigate non essential travel?



It seems to be headed that way, but perhaps if we only travelled for a specific reason, rather than on a whim because we fancied X, much as we would a takeaway meal, then the whole earth pollution angle would be realistic. In the last 20 yrs the massive expansion of the weekend market has allowed millions of people who otherwise mightn't have gone away (except for their annual beach trip) to travel 'just because'. This has been fantastic for the aviation industry and ancillary industries, and for those destination cities, but at a certain point it was too much. Barcelona was one of the first major weekend destinations, now reduced to a seething mass of uncouth visitors in busy periods, what a difference from before.

I haven't flown in nearly a year, but tbh when I next do I'll wear the mask under duress, but in the knowledge that it's probably the new normal and think of what it is i'm flying to and why.

[redsnail]

Wearing the mask on a long haul flight sucks. But it is what it is.
Air France gave me a surgical mask to wear instead of my triple layer cloth one. They were pleasant about it.

[Musket90]

If on a non-stop flight to a destination that on arrival requires a negative PCR test result no more than 72 hours from the departure time then everyone on the flight, including crew, are "negative" otherwise they wouldn't be permitted to board the flight, so is there a need to wear masks in this situation while in flight ?

[davidjohnson6]

Alas there is still a window of at least 24 hours to become infected, between being tested and boarding the aircraft. Plenty of time for one to visit the supermarket, shopping mall, restaurant, nightclub, cinema, theatre, etc

[KayPam]

It depends.
If people around the world start to understand that they have the right to say they don't want masks anymore, even if it costs some lives or some "long covid", maybe we will have a chance to one day live mask free again.
But I'm very afraid if we never wake up and say no, we will keep them on for the rest of our foreseeable lives.

[MarcK]

You can be mask free... you just can't fly.

[FUMR]

I presume pax still get fed and watered on long haul flights. They have to remove masks to eat and drink. It therefore seems futile to be wearing a mask the rest of the time. No problem with wearing a mask at the airport / at the gate / during the boarding process. Likewise during the arrival process. No problem with wearing a mask on the aircraft whilst moving around the cabin (as in going to and from the washroom). But wearing a mask in one's seat for 6 to11 odd hours is just OTT.

[BFM]

I​​t's called covid theatre. It's virtue signalling by airlines so if you do go down with covid at your destination you can't blame /sue them.

[Peter Fanelli]

I can live without flying.

[EcamSurprise]

Musket90

What makes you think the crew are tested?

[SpringHeeledJack]

I would've thought that if subjected to many hours of mask wearing on a longhaul flight, the passengers might well take it off whilst in the washroom, to wash face etc and out of a need to be free of said encumbrance for a short while. This washroom being a very enclosed space, shared by possibly a hundred other passengers from the flight. As said above, no joined up thinking, box ticking and legal doings.

[Typhoon Tripacer]

If anyone wants to encourage passengers they have to relax the mask regulations. I have travelled in the past year a couple of times solely for work and I hate it. There would be zero chance of me and for many others going through the experience for a holiday.

[PENKO]

Most people don’t mind. I travel both for work and leasure. Planes are full. People wear masks. I’d argue that more people would be uncomfortable top travel without masks.

[PAXboy]

I would say - Yes, for at least five years. There may be changes in infection rates and other factors but, as BFM says, it is all about @rse covering by the airlines. MANY corporates will be doing the same. Whether it is simply masks or requiring vaccination, it will be take it or leave it. I have yet to do my first long haul in a mask but I will.

[PilotLZ]

Many COVID measures are by and large about liability avoidance on part of those in charge. Just because, you know, if someone gets sick, their lawyer might decide that the local government, the airline, the company management or whoever else didn't perform their duty of care and that's why poor chap got infected. That's why I think that the very earliest we can talk about ditching the masks on board is whenever the WHO declares that the pandemic is over. That's the best-case scenario. In a less optimistic scenario, nothing will change in our lifetimes, not to the least because there are communicable diseases other than COVID which can hypothetically be passed on an aircraft.

[TCU]

Most people don’t mind. I travel both for work and leasure. Planes are full. People wear masks. I’d argue that more people would be uncomfortable top travel without masks.
I tend to agree; its not actually that troublesome. I get to some its uncomfortable....but such is much of the modern air travel experience, particularly on long haul

Also, for years I'd more often than not suffer with some lurgy or other after one of my regular SA-UK-SA longhauls, so probably makes a bit of sense anyway......

[Gargleblaster]

Masks not required anymore where I live, and haven't been for around half a year. What a relief.

I came to think of many Asians who for years before covid wore masks in all kinds of places and are probably used to wearing them for a longer time. I was in Reykjavík, Iceland in December 2019, strolling down the main street, and passed a group of 6 - 8 what too me seemed Japanese tourists, all wearing masks ! Outdoors, in sub-zero temperature, breathing the world's cleanest air !

[KayPam]

You can be mask free... you just can't fly.
Well, that's rather off topic.

In most countries, you can be mask free, you just can't go to the restaurant, the movies, the theater, you can't go buy groceries, you can't walk outside in many cities, etc..

At some point we will have to say no if we ever want to live maskfree gain.

[tdracer]

Many COVID measures are by and large about liability avoidance on part of those in charge.

At least in the USA, wearing masks in the airport and on aircraft is a federal government mandate. The airlines currently have no voice in the matter.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

Most people don’t mind. I travel both for work and leasure. Planes are full. People wear masks. I’d argue that more people would be uncomfortable top travel without masks.
If you take the data points of the London Underground where you have to wear a mask and min 10% don't, (on my last few times in town) then I think that to say "most people don't mind" is not correct. I can't imagine long haul leisure wearing a face mask. And planes are full because capacity is on the floor here in the UK.

I wonder if next summer might see easing of such rules on UK domestics. The other hopeful point is the FAA mask mandate is time limited and likely won't be renewed before that much longer.

[m0nkfish]

I think that what little value there is to wearing masks on aircraft is to be so small as to be pointless in comparison to how much of a nuisance it is for some people, along with the waste in terms of having to manufacture and dispose of all these masks.

I have flown quite a few times during the pandemic for work, always long haul. In my experience, although everyone boards the aircraft with a mask, people look for every opportunity to not wear them. I do observe some people who are very strict with their face masks, but the majority of people are taking very long periods of time to consume drinks, meals and snacks (and not wearing their mask in the process), many people are not wearing the mask over both nose and mouth (usually the nose is uncovered), and quite a few people remove them when they go to sleep (or have them half off again). It is difficult for me to imagine how much benefit we are actually getting from this, other than some kind of backside covering exercise, or maybe it is to make some people 'feel' safe.

For me, I hope the mandate is removed ASAP. I already find the experience of flying makes it much more a chore, and wouldn't travel if it wasn't for the fact I am required to for my employment. I definitely won't be travelling for leisure until this rule is relaxed.

[PilotLZ]

At least in the USA, wearing masks in the airport and on aircraft is a federal government mandate. The airlines currently have no voice in the matter.
Any federal mandate is still a political decision which involves lots of the proverbial lower back covering. Would the government like to be seen as the one to blame if the rules were relaxed and the situation deteriorated?

[OldLurker]

I seem to recall that sometime last year (?) people were saying something like, it's OK, cabin ventilation is excellent, air replaced many times a minute, each seat has your own air vent, minimal risk of catching Covid during a flight. Did I dream that?

[BYveterangirl]

Since retirement I travelled regularly by air for leisure and always in Business Class for long haul. My last flights were in October 2019. Although I miss travel and flying very much I have no desire to do so whilst these various draconian regulations apply. Talking to friends I know I'm not the only one thinking like this. The airlines are missing out on billions of potential revenue as a result of government mandates (which is basically put in place to protect those who choose not to be vaccinated).

[Sholayo]

Well, I am in the camp with KayPam - masks will stay forever, since most of the people either do not care to protest or even feel safer withing confines of that 'COVID-theatre'.

I was flying transatlantic in a business class couple of times a year before COVID. SInce I feel incomfortable after 30 minutes in public transportation wearing mask, I do not plan to fly for as long as mask mandates would be in place.

I understand airlines do not care about my opinion, but on the other hand I do not plan to give them my money anytime soon.

[FUMR]

Sholayo, To be fair I think that the airlines DO care about your opinion, but they are not mandating these rules. The only thing they can do is get together and challenge those who are responsible for imposing them.

[ChrisJ800]

You dont have to wear the mask whilst drinking or eating so just drink! I just found out I was wearing my mask backwards. I thought blue side in, white side out. But was told by a medic thats wrong?

[metrognomicon]

Having flown between the US coasts a number of times this year, it has become routine with masks. Wearing a mask is considerate of others and protective of myself, and I have no problem with it whatsoever.

I actually double mask with a proper N95 under a nicely fitted cloth over-ear, and I don't eat or drink on the plane. The flight is actually the easy part - layovers and delays at the airport when unable to get fresh air really suck.

A few airports have outdoor terraces and it's much nicer to be there eating and drinking takeout and lounging than in the crowded club. If masks stick around forever I hope building outdoor areas on the secure side become a priority for airports, particularly the clubs.

[skygeek]

As soon as any airline announces they would not enforce a mask policy I would only fly with that airline even if it cost me double or triple.

[Uplinker]

As a slight aside: once most of the general population has been vaccinated, surely only those who have not or otherwise feel vulnerable would need to wear masks? I know that a vaccinated person can still spread Covid, but surely that is a very good reason for all to be vaccinated ?

The anti-vaccers, (sp?), cannot expect the rest of us vaccinated souls to wear masks for ever just to protect them.

[OldLurker]

Even if you're vaccinated you can still catch, and transmit, Covid – you just don't get it as seriously as if you weren't vaccinated – especially the 'Delta variant' which is now everywhere.
The Possibility of COVID-19 after Vaccination: Breakthrough Infections (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html)

Remember also that some people are advised not to be vaccinated, eg those with severe allergic reactions or people with certain autoimmune conditions.

[davidjohnson6]

The safety provided by a vaccine is unfortunately not binary. It triggers a response in most people, not all. Vaccines aim primarily to reduce the number of deaths, and then the number who become seriously ill. I don't know of any vaccine that can prevent replication of a virus in the body of a person who picked up an infection, and can thus transmit to other people

We simply don't have the fabled magic weapon that the press sometimes like to portray - we have only something that is pretty good, not 100% perfection. There will inevitably be a need to add other layers of defence to protect a population as a whole

[DaveReidUK]

once most of the general population has been vaccinated, surely only those who have not or otherwise feel vulnerable would need to wear masks?

A mask is not worn primarily to protect you from others, but to protect others (particularly the vulnerable) from you.

[FUMR]

Visiting a notary here in The Netherlands today, I was quite surprised to see that all screens had been removed and handshakes were the order of the day again. Yet I would be expected to wear a mask for numerous hours on an aircraft. It's especially bizaar when I travel in Business Class next to my spouse with more than one and a half meters separating us from other passengers.

[windowjob]

It's not just flying but in some shops etc that are now asking for masks. I know the arguments for/against but I sure hope we stop it asap.
Try it wearing glasses and behind the ear hearing aids like I have to.
The other HUGE problem is that I now can't lip read and have become cut off in many situations that I could cope with easily normally. I now find I have to take my wife with me.
" Oh you're exempt from wearing one" is the daftest quote I keep getting.
Yes I have flown short haul recently and it was not easy.

[On Track]

Where I live masks are mandatory everywhere except inside one's own home. I hate the bloody things, and as I'm double vaccinated I'd be happy to go without one and accept whatever risk that involves. We can't live this way forever.

If mask wearing is going to remain mandatory on airliners then I won't be travelling overseas again. As for domestic travel, I'd prefer to do a road trip in my car or on my motorbike.

[Load Toad]

Good question. I want to start flying again but wearing a mask for more than 20 minutes and I feel as if I'm suffocating! Why should fully vaccinated passengers need to wear a mask?

Because the vaccine doesn't stop you being a carrier

[Load Toad]

I hate wearing a mask but I've been wearing them in HK from about March 2020 now and we are the only bloody place were we have a law requiring you to wear a mask...and another law making it illegal to wear a mask...

If I get to travel again freely I don't care less if I have to wear a mask until covid is no longer a risk...I just want to travel again.

[ZFT]

Where I live, masks are mandatory in cars as well if more than one in vehicle.

[On Track]

ZFT, actually that's the case here as well.

[MarcK]

Because the vaccine doesn't stop you being a carrierAnd the vaccine doesn't stop you from getting COVID-19.

[tdracer]

A mask doesn't stop you from getting or transmitting Covid either. At best a mask is ~10% effective at stopping transmission and that's for N-95 and surgical masks. Those simply cloth things most people wear are much less effective (while the vaccines are ~90% effective).

Eventually, with most of the populations vaccinated, cases dropping, better treatments, and most importantly fatalities down sharply, people will learn to accept Covid as a part of life and death - much like we treat the flu today. When that happens, the Covid theater will largely disappear.

[MarcK]

I find that a mask on the other person is more like 90% effective in reducing airborne particles. If we both wear masks thats 1-(1-.0,9)(1-0,9) or 99% reduction between us.So, as an old guy, I prefer those odds, and I'm willing to wear a mask to prevent transmission to others in the event I am Covid positive, even being vaccinated.

[Load Toad]

- tends to stop you dying from it though.

[willy wombat]

I’m on holiday in Dubai at the moment. Flew here last week from London on EK wearing a mask of course. I don’t like mask wearing but am prepared to put up with it in order to travel in the same way I put up with airport security, taking off belt and shoes, sorting liquids into a plastic bag etc etc. We have also had to put up with getting a pre departure from the UK PCR test (as required by UAE) and will have to have a day 2 PCR test when we return to the UK. The only way I could see mask wearing being dropped by airlines would be if a condition of carriage was that every passenger was double jabbed, and I don’t see that happening so I think for quite a while it will be a case of wear a mask or don’t fly. In our case the lure of travel was strong enough for us to put up with the hassles.

[ZFT]

A pragmatic attitude to a situation none (I assume?) of us like or have any control over.

[tdracer]

I find that a mask on the other person is more like 90% effective in reducing airborne particles. If we both wear masks thats 1-(1-.0,9)(1-0,9) or 99% reduction between us.So, as an old guy, I prefer those odds, and I'm willing to wear a mask to prevent transmission to others in the event I am Covid positive, even being vaccinated.
No, it's not 90%. That's literally fake news. Masks are not some magic bullet to prevent transmission - far from it in fact.
There have been numerous studies of masking vs. Covid transmission rates. The best they found was a 12% reduction in transmission with masks vs. unmasked. Most showed less than 10% reduction.

[PilotLZ]

A pragmatic attitude to a situation none (I assume?) of us like or have any control over.
I was about to say the same. If the trip is important or desirable enough for you, masks will not put you off. A few hours with a mask on is not too steep a price to pay for the chance to go somewhere nice or to visit family and friends after over a year in and out of lockdown.

[ManAtTheBack]

I find wearing a mask uncomfortable and am decidedly reluctant to wear one for 10+ hours. At the moment I have not flown for 2 years and would like a long haul holiday. I would normally seriously consider travelling business for the more comfortable experience but the mask requirement (along with other airline cost saving service reductions carried out in the name of Covid safety) will reduce that comfort to a noticeable degree. As a consequence I am more likely to opt for the cheapest economy fare since I will be uncomfortable anyway so why pay much more to be somewhat less uncomfortable.

I'm sure that over the short term there will be a strong rebound of leisure travel after 18 months of restrictions regardless of masks but after a year or so of 'freedom' flights the whole subject of masks will be more relevant as people get over lockdown and have had their - somewhat diminished - freedom.

Looking into the longer term an ongoing mask requirement (and other Covid related hassles) will tip me towards travelling less and when I do sticking to economy. This is not because I am "scared" of Covid - I'm happy to make my chances and happy to have been vaccinated - but because the increased hassle and discomfort will alter, for me, the value proposition of flying.

I am concerned that in the face of potentially declining receipts (after a rebound year) airlines will double down on Covid theatre, it being easier to introduce restrictions than to remove them. Hopefully we will have airlines pursuing different strategies with some being Covid reassurers and some catering to the Covid relaxed traveler, or seperate masked and mask free cabins. I appreciate that no airline is particularly interested in what I think but I do hope that there can be some relaxation which would stimulate some business.

[FUMR]

I was about to say the same. If the trip is important or desirable enough for you, masks will not put you off. A few hours with a mask on is not too steep a price to pay for the chance to go somewhere nice or to visit family and friends after over a year in and out of lockdown.

A "few" hours maybe, but from 4 to 12 hours not for me. I was already suffering after 20 minutes in my supermarket! (luckily that requirement has now been removed). So yes, a quick 50 minute hop to the UK I might persevere with, but long haul, no chance. I guess my medium to long haul flying is over for the foreseeable future. Fortunately I'm on the right side of the channel and within reach of many destinations by car. It'll save me car rental costs too ;)

I should add that I am not against wearing masks where and when appropriate. I just don't consider very long hours in an aircraft seat as appropriate after vaccination and a PCR test prior to travel. I hope that the appropriate authorities and the airlines will rethink some of these measures.

[Uplinker]

In London for four days recently, and on the tube - which mandates masks for all - I would estimate that almost no young people bothered wearing masks, (I wore mine).

[willy wombat]

The only other point I would add to my earlier post is that while I don’t like wearing a mask, my wife has no problem with wearing one and can’t understand why it bothers me. Everyone is different.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

I think the major issue might be that I don't see any way to make money on long haul without the mask mandate being removed. If we're looking at April-2022 and summer plans mean you have to mask up for long haul, that straight away skews a lot of people from long haul travel. Discretionary, last minute fun traveling doesn't work on a model of ongoing testing and traveling in such an environment. A lot of people who would otherwise spend thousands of pounds with your airline may well spend on a short haul carrier where the hassle is a lot less. So long haul high volume leisure won't bounce back until we normalise as a society. We're all at different stages here, the UK is emerging from the other side, Australia and NZ and in a really bad place where locking down means the plaster is still being pulled of as very few people have had COVID and immunity is almost non existent as a result. Here in the UK, we had a torrid time of vulnerable people dying but at the same time loads of us have been exposed and have a real immunity as well as a proper vaccination program where all the vulnerable who need one or can have one have been jabbed.

If you remember back in 2020, they were saying it would be 2023 before traffic bounced back, I suspect 2022 will be masked up and a realisation you can't make any money in that envirnoment and so as we slowly normalise then pressure should build to remove the mandate.

[MarcK]

No, it's not 90%. That's literally fake news. Masks are not some magic bullet to prevent transmission - far from it in fact.
There have been numerous studies of masking vs. Covid transmission rates. The best they found was a 12% reduction in transmission with masks vs. unmasked. Most showed less than 10% reduction.
I'll match my fake news against your fake news any day.

[nonsense]

I seem to recall that sometime last year (?) people were saying something like, it's OK, cabin ventilation is excellent, air replaced many times a minute, each seat has your own air vent, minimal risk of catching Covid during a flight. Did I dream that?
It seemed improbable then too...

Well, I am in the camp with KayPam - masks will stay forever, since most of the people either do not care to protest or even feel safer withing confines of that 'COVID-theatre'.
My GP commented that HIV brought latex gloves to general practice, and covid will probably make face masks an ongoing feature of general practice. In 2019 only Asians who had experienced SARS wore facemasks in public in my part of the world, I think in 2029 an awful lot of us will still chose to wear them. The world has changed.

Where I live masks are mandatory everywhere except inside one's own home. I hate the bloody things, and as I'm double vaccinated I'd be happy to go without one and accept whatever risk that involves. We can't live this way forever.
If mask wearing is going to remain mandatory on airliners then I won't be travelling overseas again. As for domestic travel, I'd prefer to do a road trip in my car or on my motorbike
I live in the same city as you. I can't see myself traveling overseas for another twelve to eighteen months by which time the risk of getting stranded should have cleared and the benefits or otherwise of masks in aircraft (along with whatever pre-flight vaccination and/or testing is required) should be clearer. I did three short trips to Sydney in 2019 and another in 2020 and chose to drive because flying and arranging transport at the far end was much more hassle and expense than it was worth to me, especially getting to Tullamarine at sparrowfart for a sensible price ticket, so covid hasn't really changed my domestic travel choices. That I am retired, with time to spare, factors in too, of course.

[tdracer]

I'll match my fake news against your fake news any day.
OK, I'll bite.
Give me one reference to a study that shows masks are 90% effective at stopping Covid transmission - not droplets - 90% of actual disease transmission. Just one - to an actual, medical study - and I'll concede.

[nonsense]

First one I looked at:
As such, we estimate less than 1–2 log 10 reduction factors for normal mask wearing in public. The log reduction factor translates into less than 90% virus removal effectiveness. We assume Mred, the base aerosol reduction percentage of face masks (commercial medical products) in a public setting, to be approximately 60% [60] and estimate the range from 40% to 75%, assuming the best reduction rate is 99% for a NOISH-certified N-95 type respirator [53, [url=https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237691#pone.0237691.ref057]57 (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237691#pone.0237691.ref060), 58 (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237691#pone.0237691.ref058), 61 (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237691#pone.0237691.ref061)].
[url]https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0237691

Next one:
...immediate near universal (80%) adoption of moderately (50%) effective masks could prevent on the order of 17–45% of projected deaths over two months in New York, while decreasing the peak daily death rate by 34–58%, absent other changes in epidemic dynamics. Even very weak masks (20% effective) can still be useful if the underlying transmission rate is relatively low or decreasing: In Washington, where baseline transmission is much less intense, 80% adoption of such masks could reduce mortality by 24–65% (and peak deaths 15–69%), compared to 2–9% mortality reduction in New York (peak death reduction 9–18%). Our results suggest use of face masks by the general public is potentially of high value in curtailing community transmission and the burden of the pandemic.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468042720300117

Here's an article written for the lay person:
https://theconversation.com/evidence-shows-that-yes-masks-prevent-covid-19-and-surgical-masks-are-the-way-to-go-167963

The thing is, masks cost bugger all, and even a small reduction in infection rates has an enormous effect, especially if it takes R below 1.0

Even if you're only concerned with your own health and don't give a stuff about anybody else, masks reduce the number of infectious people around for you to meet.

[S.o.S.]

nonsense I think you meant to say:
Even if you're only concerned with your own health and not about anybody else

Please keep personal remarks for Jet Blast.

[m0nkfish]

Having flown between the US coasts a number of times this year, it has become routine with masks. Wearing a mask is considerate of others and protective of myself, and I have no problem with it whatsoever.

I actually double mask with a proper N95 under a nicely fitted cloth over-ear, and I don't eat or drink on the plane. The flight is actually the easy part - layovers and delays at the airport when unable to get fresh air really suck.

A few airports have outdoor terraces and it's much nicer to be there eating and drinking takeout and lounging than in the crowded club. If masks stick around forever I hope building outdoor areas on the secure side become a priority for airports, particularly the clubs.

You've swallowed the government propaganda pill, well done! Wearing the correct mask properly will have an impact on COVID transmissions, if you are a carrier. It offers only very limited protection against infection because the virus will enter through other areas like the eyes. This is the reason that medical staff in COVID wards are wearing something more akin to full PPE and not just a paper N95 mask.

Most people are either not wearing the correct type of mask, wearing it incorrectly or, usually, both. A face mask will offer next to zero chance of protection if, for example, you wear it over a beard. The mask must be covering the mouth and the nose, so many people slip the mask down from their nose so they can breath easier. N95 masks are single use only and stop working when they get wet. They should be replaced every time they are removed including when you remove them to eat/drink on an aircraft. Many cloth masks are not N95 rated meaning they are providing absolutely no protection from COVID. If you see a mask with an outflow valve, it will not be protecting anyone else except the user (assuming they are wearing it correctly, it has the correct rating, etc).

In a medical setting, where people are using the correct equipment and have been trained in how to wear it, masks can have an impact. But in the general population they are not effective in stopping transmission. Governments use them to control the behaviour of the population. It sends a subliminal message that there is a threat and everyone must comply and we are all in this together. It is time people woke up to the threat much bigger than COVID, the incredible draconian measures and policies that Western governments are taking and the use of fear to intimidate and manipulate the populace to freely hand over control and freedom.

I know several anti-vaccine people and the last thing they would want anyone to do is wear a mask to protect them. The one thing I share in common with them is that we are both absolutely sick and tired of this COVID nonsense. And it is exactly that now, nonsense that needs to go away. I've lost more friends and colleagues to mental health and acute/chronic conditions that were not treated because of COVID. I've got many friends who have lost their jobs because of the lockdowns and my kids are now far behind where they should be with their education and most of us will be suffering the economic consequences of this for many years to come. The vaccines have made this no worse than the flu, it is long past the point where we should all collectively take our masks off and demand that we have our freedom back. If we don't, we will loose it for a very long time, if not forever.

[m0nkfish]

nonsense, tdracer asked for a study that shows masks are 90% effective.

You 'bit' by sending him research papers that provide 'predictions' and 'estimates'.

Maybe you can go back to your search engine and find a study that has empirical data that supports these papers? God knows we have been wearing masks for long enough now that if they actually did provide 90% effectiveness a report shouldn't be hard to find.

[MarcK]

Well, as were comparing his false facts with my false facts, I didn't think it was my job to prove 90%. On the other hand, maybe he can prove no more than 10%. I think nonsence makes the point. If wearing a mask makes me even a little bit safer, and having you wear a mask when near me makes me safer still, then I think I'll opt for the mask. And I'll try to avoid being near those who don't wear masks. Especially since I belive those who are against mask wearing are also likely not vaccinated.

[m0nkfish]

MarcK. Just like in aviation, if you want ultimate safety you should never leave the ground, you could reduce your risk to virtually zero by staying at home. It all comes down to risk management. I have no problem with people that want to wear masks, if that makes them feel safer, there are countries in the Far East where people have been voluntarily wearing masks long before COVID. But in a free society we shouldn't be mandating that people wear them.

For you the inconvenience of wearing a mask is clearly minimal and your apparent perception of the reduced risk in wearing one makes it a sensible approach.

For others, they either fail to see the benefit (I include myself in this because I observe so many people wearing masks incorrectly, and the major benefit in wearing a mask is to stop you transmitting the virus to others), or there is an inconvenience to wearing one which outweighs their perception of the benefit, this may be a medical condition, or past mental trauma. The point is, it is best to leave it to people to make their own decision, as we should be doing in a free society. Which brings this back on topic, mask wearing on aircraft should not be mandatory, it should be up to the individuals concerned.

I made the comment about empirical evidence because a lot of people are using, as you put it, 'false facts' to justify the removal of our individual freedoms and liberty. We have got things completely the wrong way round and defaulted to removing liberties and then finding the evidence to justify it. The burden of proof should be very high before governments make decisions on behalf of their populace which removes or constrains their individual liberties. And such constraints should come with a clear time limit.

I flew long haul last week, most people were wearing masks but not properly. A gentlemen who appeared to be doing his best to follow the mask wearing protocol (was taking it off only to eat, wearing it properly over both mouth and nose, etc) suddenly pulled his mask off so that he could sneeze into his hand. This wasn't a conscious decision, but was involuntary as a result of years of habit forming, but this was probably the best moment for him to be properly wearing a mask. My point is, it is easy to see the theoretical advantage to face masks, but in the real world, when you involve fallible humans and all the other practicality's, you can see that any benefit they will be providing is going to be less than the theoretical predictions. Of more a concern to me, however, was the reaction of several people when this person sneezed. I am scared at the direction our society is heading.

[SpringHeeledJack]

In London for four days recently, and on the tube - which mandates masks for all - I would estimate that almost no young people bothered wearing masks, (I wore mine).

That's because you're not young! ;) I use the public transport system on a regular basis, where it's too far/time consuming to walk etc, and the number of mask wearers has plummeted since the summer just gone. Just about every person under 20 maskless and a good proportion of adults of all ages likewise. It makes you wonder what's going on, both in transmission/infection rates in the real-world and in the application of mask rules. I wear one on transport and the odd time I'm in crowded/enclosed spaces, just good practice to my mind.

The longhaul airlines will need to alter the mask rules (with/through govt regulators) if they hope to get passenger numbers anywhere near previous levels. As it stands it will just be business and family obligated half-filling their cabins.

[PAXboy]

m0nkfish
If you see a mask with an outflow valve, it will not be protecting anyone else except the user (assuming they are wearing it correctly, it has the correct rating, etc).
My mask looks like a simple cloth mask but it has replaceable 2.5 filters. Yes it has an outflow valve but that it to ensure the expelled air goes through the filter. I have several of these and rotate them through the washing machine, changing the filters regularly.

I work in the world of funerals and I advise everyone to take all possible precautions - even if they seem unreasonable to you.

[m0nkfish]

I'm pretty sure that viruses are a lot smaller than 2.5 microns, so if you want to take all possible precautions why not just wear an N95 mask which does filter viruses? The type of mask you seem to be describing is designed to block air particulates (pollution), not viruses. Yes it will clearly have some protection as it will filter droplets, but COVID is also transmitted through the air, so a mask needs to block viruses as well.

[SpringHeeledJack]

...and then there's the smaller chance of touching an infected surface unknowingly and then rubbing one's face, rubbing the eyes etc. There's only so much that can be reasonably done to minimise risks. I remember being shocked/amused to see several travellers on my flight in March 2020 wearing a full paper suit with hood, N95 mask, gloves and goggles. They must have been very uncomfortable, especially if they needed the bathroom during the flight!

[willy wombat]

Well I came back to London from Dubai on Friday. Had to wear a mask through the hotel’s public areas, in the Emirates Chauffeur Drive car, all through DXB airport (but was allowed to remove it while seated in the EK Business Lounge), on the aircraft except when eating or drinking, all through LHR T3 and in the EK Chauffeur Drive car home. Total elapsed time hotel room to home approximately 12 hours, 30 minutes. Do I like wearing a mask? No. Do I think it’s a good idea for everyone travelling to wear a mask? Emphatically yes. Is the paperwork and endless repeated checks of PCR test results, UK Government Passenger Locator forms, proof of vaccination a pain in the backside? Yes (handy hint - print them off as it makes the checking process much faster). Are people willing to travel with all this hassle? Well all I can say is that both EK A380s were virtually full. Was it worth it for me and Mrs Wombat to have a great break (first time out the UK for 22 months)? Yes, yes, yes.
And as a PS, we got our day 2 PCR test results overnight - both negative.

[WHBM]

Ryanair are missing a trick here, for charging an extra fee for the ability to fly without a mask ...

[cattletruck]

Remember this recommendation during the early pre-mask days of Covid-19?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/703x1000/image_4177c9d63618656e6a956e8e4e41cbb9c21b0709.png

I guess you could now wear your mask on your elbow for added safety.

Remember when they said that airline air-conditioning and filters provided enough protection against Covid-19? This excuse allowed politicians, businessmen and celebrities to continue travelling the world on "essential business" during the worst of the pandemic.

Point is the health directives are constantly changing, and much to the detriment of the average punter. I personally believe the people that make up these rules have no idea, but I am just a small fish in this all.

Wearing a mask for lengths at a time doesn't seem to bother me much, however, as a chronic hay fever sufferer from the past I still often get the sniffles in the morning and need to pull my mask down to blow my nose or sneeze into my handkerchief. Imagine sneezing in your mask... what would you do if you didn't have a spare?

[PAXboy]

There are times when I wear N95 and sometimes the cloth with 2.5 filter. Across the last 20 months my partner and I have been most careful. Not just that I work in the funeral world but my partner is front line NHS staff and often has to wear full PPE. Further, her daughter is pregnant.

We have both been working throughout and both have never had a postive test (LF or PCR) so our precautions have paid off. We have our first medium length flight in December and first long haul in the new year.

Mask Types (https://www.cleanairresources.com/resources/respirator-vs-face-mask-what-s-the-difference)

[FUMR]

I often see comments to the effect of full or nearly full flights. However, how many daily flights do these carriers presently operate in contrast to frequencies operated before the pandemic struck?

[PilotLZ]

Depends on the origin-destination pair, I guess? In Europe, the significant easing of travel restrictions resulted in traffic levels very close to 2019 at some popular leisure destinations throughout the summer. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same of many other places which remain largely sealed off from the average traveller. Think Australia, China, many Asian destinations. International traffic there remains at 20-30% of pre-COVID levels.

The bottom line? We're not yet at the point where masks are the main deterrent for travellers. For now, the show is still being run by the travel restrictions between the origin and destination. And said restrictions in many places still make masks look like the least evil when it comes to travel.

[Skipness One Foxtrot]

https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/norwegian-signals-end-of-face-mask-requirement-on-scandinavian-flights/145927.article
Face masks no longer mandatory on Norwegian domestic! There is hope....

[PilotLZ]

SAS, Norwegian, Flyr and Wideroe are waiving the mask requirement for flights within Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Still applicable to flights outside this region though.