Per CDC and
per OSHA guidelines, N95 respirators are designed to reduce personal exposure to particles including small particle aerosols and large droplets, while surgical masks are designed to protect other people against infection from the person wearing the surgical mask and are not considered an appropriate form of personal respiratory protection.
A surgical mask could, therefore, indicate that the wearer has a communicable disease and is wearing the surgical mask in accordance with the CDC/OSHA guidelines, which qualifies for Refusal of Transport per the United Airlines CoC Rule 21, H, 13. If pax fails to present a
medical certificate, a determination to re-accommodate the passenger can be made.