Maybe, just maybe, we are seeing a small glimpse of light at the end of the Covid tunnel.
The CEOs of two major airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, both made comments during a senate hearing acknowledging what most of us already knew, that masks really aren't necessary while flying.
CNN reports:
The comments from American Airlines CEO Doug Parker — the nation's largest carrier — and Southwest CEO Gary Kelly came during a hearing about the financial support that airlines received from the federal government in 2020 and 2021. But the topic of masks arose via a question from Sen. Roger Wicker, the ranking Republican on the Senate committee holding the hearing.
"I think the case is very strong that masks don't add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment. It is very safe and very high quality compared to any other indoor setting," said Kelly.
Both Kelly and Parker, who each have announced plans to retire as CEOs in the coming months, mentioned that high-grade HEPA air filters on planes capture virtually all airborne contamination and air quality is helped by how frequently cabin air is exchanged with fresh air from outside the cabin.
"I concur. An aircraft is the safest place you can be," said Parker. "It's true of all of our aircraft — they all have the same HEPA filters and air flow."
Here's part of the exchange:
Maybe it's because they're about to retire, so they don't care what people say about them, but these two CEOs are finally saying the painfully obvious truth.
Planes have HEPA filters. There is no reason to wear a mask. Planes may be the safest place in the world from Covid. They definitely have the cleanest air of any indoor setting. There's no studies showing that airplanes are a place where Covid can spread.
The entire idea of masking on airplanes, for kids as young as 2 at that, is completely ridiculous.
I am glad we have some corporate big wigs who are willing to push back against the reigning narrative.
It may have no effect, but at least these guys are willing to tell the truth.
