Will we always be wearing masks on aircraft now?
Paxing All Over The World
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.
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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......
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 !
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 !
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: France
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Thread Starter
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.
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.
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.
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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?
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?
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HON
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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).
Join Date: May 2010
Location: WAW
Age: 49
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
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.
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?
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
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.
The anti-vaccers, (sp?), cannot expect the rest of us vaccinated souls to wear masks for ever just to protect them.
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
Remember also that some people are advised not to be vaccinated, eg those with severe allergic reactions or people with certain autoimmune conditions.
The Possibility of COVID-19 after Vaccination: Breakthrough Infections
Remember also that some people are advised not to be vaccinated, eg those with severe allergic reactions or people with certain autoimmune conditions.
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
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