Originally Posted by
screeton
Does that make two good reasons for SWA requiring all passengers to wear a mask? Regardless of your personal opinion on masks, covid19, or politics, the only thing that is going to appreciably increase load factor is making the general public (not you) feel that flying is safe. Most of us don't consider ourselves to be the macho-invincible-Marlboro Man with regard to this virus, and even if we do, we still have friends or relatives who are at a higher risk category. Wearing masks, social distancing, and similar measures are simple, non-invasive prevention type measures that all reasonable people should take, and that includes when they are getting on a SWA plane. If SWA implemented a strict policy, masks for all passengers, booking only aisle and window seats, and publicized that fact, they would be pleased with the increased load factor. That policy would attract far more people than they would lose from someone declaring that they would fly another airline if forced to wear a mask.
How can blocking all middle seats make WN pleased with load factor? Why didn't they feel that way pre-Rona? All of those full snowbird flights this week that made the news would have not been full anymore.
Also, re the mask thing, they are pointless for someone who is not coughing and sneezing. Pre-Rona, Asians wore masks only when they were sick to prevent spread with some sort of minorly calculatable success. Wearing a mask when you are not sick (like the CDC used to say) is pointless and increases your chance of catching the illness since you are touching your face all the time! Multiple studies prove that masks in real life settings provide zero protection if not make the user more susceptible to disease. Even 90% of heathcare workers take off masks improperly and contaminate their faces. This does not take into account the additional safety problems associated with fogged up glasses, operating equipment, false sense of security, etc...it is just dumb. And for the government to enact enforceable laws making one wear one against their will...well, that is even more dumb.
Flying WN with fogged up glasses for three hours and my lap child touching and playing with the stupid mask on my face and so you can "feel" safe from my asymptomatic breath with your mask that provides just as much protection as taping a coffee filter to your face is idiotic...at best. All during this imaginary flight, statistically I will be more unsafe so that you can "feel" safe. How the heck is that fair? Just lock yourself in your house for a few years and wait for this to end.