Four Things You Should Know About Air Travel
Have you taken to the airlines yet? Well, I just completed my second trip yesterday. I flew five flights on this trip, and it opened my eyes. As you know, there’re certain federal regulations in place. We were reminded of this before we boarded every flight.
You must wear a mask that “covers your nose and mouth in the plane and airport unless you’re drinking or eating a bite.” As you watch people in the airport, it seems they can’t read or hear. Masks for many are for covering the chin only. For others, they cover the mouth. And for a significant number, they’re fully below the chin around their neck. And no one seems to care. This public response to the mandate significantly puts you at risk as you travel by air these days.
When people are in the restaurants at the airport masks, come off when they sit down at their table or on a barstool, and they’re off until they leave. Throughout the time I was there, people were talking loudly and having a grand old time. But, again, this doesn’t bode well for your safety.
Then the planes are full, so you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with people. So many never cover their nose and mouths, and even a flight attendant wore their mask below their nose and just a general lack of consideration for their fellow human beings. I watched a couple of men who talked across the aisle to each other with their masks below their chins after the flight attendant reminded them once.
Now the airline I flew on, which shall remain nameless, handed out sanitary wipes as we boarded each plane and made announcements that we should provide space between ourselves and others as we got on and off the plane. Everyone ignored them! They tried to deplane by rows to allow for distance, but everyone wanted to get off when the door opened, and they forgot about social distancing.
Even if you have been vaccinated, to fly now is to take your life into your hands. Because of the lack of considerations and the proper wearing of masks, the risks of exposure are high, and little you can do about it. The airlines are trying, but it requires each of us to cooperate to make it safer. So here are four things I recommend if you have to fly.
- Always wear your mask. You can pull it down to take a sip or bite but immediately put it back up.
- Don’t plan to eat in an airport restaurant. Pack snacks. It will be safer, and you won’t starve.
- Wash your hands often because you don’t know who sat in that seat before you did.
- Don’t try to confront someone who is wearing their mask wrong. It’s not your job and could lead to an unwanted confrontation.
Stay home if you can until Covid-delta comes under control. If you go out, be careful. Even if you have the vaccine, you’re not immune.
