Fauci: ‘Idea Of Taking Masks Off’ On Airplanes ‘Not Something We Should Even Be Considering’

On Sunday, Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared on ABC’s “This Week” to discuss the latest developments regarding COVID-19.

During the segment, host Jonathan Karl asked Fauci about vaccination for air travel. Following his answer to that, Fauci turned to masking on airplanes, which is still federally mandated.

“But with regard to the spread of virus in the country, I mean, I think if you look at wearing a mask and the filtration on planes, things are reasonably safe,” Fauci said. “We want to make sure people keep their masks on. I think the idea of taking masks off, in my mind, is really not something we should even be considering…”

Karl replied, noting the recent remarks by airline CEOs that cabin air is some of the cleanest among indoor spaces.

“And of course, the airline CEOs were suggesting that, you know, that we may not — may no longer need a mask. I hear you loud and clearly, you disagree with that on an — on the airplane,” Karl said.

During a recent Senate hearing, as The Daily Wire reported, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly spoke about the air quality on airplanes.

“I think the case is very strong that masks don’t add much, if anything, in the air cabin environment,” Kelly said. “It is very safe and very high quality compared to any other indoor setting.”

Parker echoed Kelly, and added that planes “all have the same HEPA filters and air flow.”

Of course, as CNN wrote: “Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, testified at the hearing that not all aircraft are equipped with the same quality of air filters. For example, some older planes do not have HEPA filters, she said.”

Additionally, a spokesperson for American Airlines later walked back Parker’s comments: “As noted in Doug’s testimony, we support the federal mask mandate, and masks are an important part of our commitment to keeping our customers and team members healthy and safe.”

The federal transportation mask mandate has been extended multiple times, and is now set to expire on March 18, 2022, unless another extension is granted.

TRANSCRIPT:

FAUCI: But with regard to the spread of virus in the country, I mean, I think if you look at wearing a mask and the filtration on planes, things are reasonably safe.

We want to make sure people keep their masks on. I think the idea of taking masks off, in my mind, is really not something we should even be considering … but that’s what we meant by it depends on what the goal of getting people vaccinated before they get on a domestic flight.

KARL: Yes. And of course, the airline CEOs were suggesting that, you know, that we may not — may no longer need a mask. I hear you loud and clearly, you disagree with that on an — on the airplane.

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