Loading ...Perspective: Want families to fly again? End the mask mandate
Families are driving across the country to see relatives because they’re worried about being kicked off flights
“Last week, President Joe Biden effectively put millions of American families on a no-fly list, one that has been growing for nearly two years. It’s not explicit: Of course, most Americans can technically fly. But in reality, there are many families for whom it’s become impossible, thanks to COVID-19 mandates surrounding air travel.
The Hill reported that the Transportation Security Administration is poised to keep a mask mandate for flying through at least March. 18. According to the report, “Individuals who do not comply with the mandate will face a minimum fine of $500 with repeat offenders facing fines as high as $3,000.”
By now, you’ve seen the viral videos of the families forcibly removed from flights because their child, usually a toddler, is unable or unwilling to be masked for the duration of the flight. Those videos aren’t just traumatic for the unfortunate individuals finding themselves at the center of a firestorm; they have a way of intimidating anyone with a young child or disabled individual unable to mask from even attempting public transportation of any kind.“