Exemptions to Mask Wearing on Flights

Most people experience slight anxiety when using a mask for the first time. Nothing to do with sleep aponea or asthma or any other condition. You will get used to it. Use if to avoid infecting the rest of us please! With that said, IF it really were a health issue, I am sure your GP would write you a letter, though judging by all the medical excuses I have to read ("in my opinion is suffering from a medical condition) from the few staff who are determined to burn sick leave as it accrues, I have my doubts as to some GPs not being a pushover when asked from exemptions or excuses

What a BS excuse. I have severe sleep apnea. I have no issues wearing a mask for that. And reading what the good Dr has written just proves my point.

You should drive to Perth if you don’t like it

Again, I work for VA and we can't ask for proof of exemption, so if you can't wear a mask just explain this to staff at check in.

All these people saying it's selfish, they should drive etc, get over yourselves. How many people have got seriously ill on aeroplanes? How many returned travellers have died in quarantine over the past year from COVID?

I know of doctors who have given exemptions for mild asthma, claustrophobic and anxiety. If the person feels the mask affects their overall functioning, then it's up to them.

I know of many return travelers who have gotten unwell after flying back. I know because my hospital has treated many of them. Maybe we should have put some antimaskers to work in said COVID wards to see what it was like to be suffering from COVID. To say “how many return travelers have died” is just pure ignorance.

rckjiang - When did we become such a precious society that is so afraid of getting ill or in the occasional case, dying?

I'm sure people have gotten colds, flu and other nasties when traveling before. We need to accept the is a level of risk anywhere, those who choose to wear a mask, good for them. Those who don't, well the same goes.

Getting back to the topic, airline staff can't enforce it, it's up to the individual. And from my experience, a high number of people keep their masks under their noses or take them off for the whole flight.

I seriously cannot believe that we are still arguing about this 14 months into the pandemic. COVID IS NOT YOUR USUAL COLD/FLU. THE IGNORANCE IS UNREAL. It takes two for standard masks to be effective; it reduces the aerosol generation from infected so the risk of transmission is radically reduced, much more effective than the receiver wearing the mask!

If one wants to YOLO their way into COVID, that’s their prerogative. Just don’t take me down with them because of their ignorance.

rckjiang - no need to shout. As I said, I'm happy for you to wear your mask, that's your prerogative if it makes you feel safe. Everyone is responsible for their own health. Those who want to smoke or eat bad, that's up to them. Same goes for those on the other end of the spectrum. Simple really

Except surgical masks, which is what people are mandated to wear on flights, prevent transmission of the virus to other people - they don’t protect the wearer. So it’s really a matter of public health in this situation, not personal health or responsibility as in the decision to smoke. Comparing apples and oranges.

Jono777, your argument is self defeating. You mention a persons right to smoke for instance. Correct, BUT they don't get that right on a plane. Same here. Put on a mask, or use Zoom. Also a choice.

I get the feeling that someone is actively encouraging disobedience against a mandate and published policy of the airline, one of whom apparently is the employer of the antagonist....

Eventhough I don’t smoke, I might just light up a ciggie next time I fly VA because apparently on good authority it is now my right to choose to do so....

Again, no comparison. Smoking a cigarette on an aircraft could be seen as actively harming others or has the potential to cause inconvenience.

We were never required to wear masks in bad flu seasons but expected to for the Kung Flu. Personally, if I'm not feeling sick, I'm not wearing one.

Obviously the people that love wearing them are those who are afraid of this virus.

davidthomson_98 same could be said to those on the pro mask side - if you don't like maskless folk on your flight, then use Zoom. Your choice

Wait, so now breathing in secondhand smoke is different to breathing in your potentially virus-laden aerosols? If you don't like my smoke, you can get off the plane. That's your logic.

I hope someone forwards your Kung Flu comment to VA and you get fired for it. That is plain racist.

Given that 1 in 3 covid infections are asymptomatic that’s a very selfish way to look at things. Good to see you work for VA, I will continue to avoid with employees like you.

s4172249 - It's laughable how all you people doing your bit "for public safety" speak to other people. You do you, I'm just giving my opinion. I don't give two hoots whether one wears a mask or not.

Yes asymptomatic infections. Where viral load is very low. Infection numbers are a totally different ballgame. Studies show that most severe symptoms occur from catching the virus from someone also displaying symptoms.

And enough with this selfish rhetoric, it's getting old. I bet you're a totally selfless individual - not!

Haha the racism card now. You people are so predictable. Precious.

I'm gay yet I'll still eat my Golden Gaytime icecream and use the word "poof" if I like.