vanillabean

Southwest Airlines, American Airlines say no more mask exceptions for anyone over 2 years old
The airlines have removed the exception for those with medical conditions

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...no-exceptions/

fotographer

and here in Georgia... all the major grocery stores/home improvement have just done the same.... I dont know.. I think it a bit late now to start asking everyone to wear masks...
but that is just my own opinion

Often1

Too bad that it had to be left to the air carriers to do this on their own. Also, quite clear that the exceptions were neither enforceable nor safe. E.g., if I'm seated next to someone who quite legitimately cannot wear a mask, I am at risk.

QueenOfCoach

It is NOT too late. The sooner we achieve higher mask compliance, the sooner we will beat this thing.

AA100k

Having just returned from France, it’s amazing how well the EU has done beating this thing down by just enforcing reasonable rules.

GUWonder

Will this AA move — which largely seems to be copying UA — do anything about passengers who avoid/minimize wearing a mask over their mouth and nose by milking the presence of a cup/bottle or other food/beverage packaging on their tray or otherwise in their hand or hand’s reach?

In other words, is there any plan to deal with passengers who exploit food/beverage container/packaging in-hand (or in hand’s reach on the tray/armrest/seatback) to avoid/minimize appropriately using a mask in-flight even while no longer consuming any food/beverage from the package/container?

Some mask-haters aren’t beyond willfully doing things that most decent people wouldn’t do, when it comes to mask rules and recommendations put in place in response to the risk from this coronavirus pandemic. It will be interesting to see how inconsistently AA deals with this.

GUWonder

Air France — and the other EU airlines which I have used this year — seem to have had a mask policy in place for passengers during this pandemic. Is that over yet? I know there is a current push in the EU to get more mask use in place for trains too.

smithrh

About <redacted> time!

(Yes, I self-censored this)

wendyg

I assume this is driven by the recent fuss about Ted Cruz being seen maskless in first class.

wg

Gig103

Late, heck yeah. But better late than never.
I read here on FT that some airlines are handing out face shields. I think I'd prefer that to a mask but maybe it's in addition to.

pwd847

I have read a couple peer reviewed studies written in academic journals that say that a face shield doesn't do a whole lot. The conclusion is that the mask is much better than a plastic face shield.

I am referring to the shield being the only form of prevention vs the mask being the only form of prevention.

azepine00

while both measures offer benefits IMO severe police enforced lockdown with requirement to show paperwork to get around is far more drastic than wearing a mask...

Misco60

Good on AA. Medical exemption from the requirement to wear a mask is quickly becoming as much of a joke as the whole emotional support animal nonsense.

Gig103

Thanks for that information, pwd847

JetAway

Doctor friend of mine said face shields are inappropriate for daily layman's use. They are intended for the ER, the OR and special units where "bodily fluids are freely flying."