Since the start of the pandemic, airlines have done their best to follow the latest CDC recommendations, often making their own airline policies even more rigid.
But with the CDC constantly changing their tune, it’s hard to keep up with the “latest and greatest” new safety measure – especially since each one seems to contradict the last.
Now, the latest CDC recommendation takes a massive swing at the travel industry – who’s finally had enough and is fighting back.
Let’s face it – from the start of the pandemic, nobody knew what to believe.
First Americans were told to only wear a mask if they were sick and experiencing symptoms…
… then it was recommended (and made mandatory in many places) that all people wear masks.
And temperature checks used to be the standard…
… until the CDC finally admitted it didn’t actually indicate whether someone had COVID-19.
And then when the vaccine was first introduced, people were excited and thought FINALLY they could get on with their life WITHOUT wearing a mask!
Except, the CDC insisted vaccinated folks still had to wear a mask and social distance to “prevent the spread.”
Of course, in the latest round of new recommendations, the CDC has finally publicly announced that those who have been fully vaccinated can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated folks without wearing a mask and without social distancing!
They went even further and said those who have been fully vaccinated could also “refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic.”
Woohoo!
Sounds like good news, right!?
Especially for those who have been cooped up and waiting to travel.
Well, except the CDC decided to single out travel and actually recommended Americans avoid flying at this time.
And that was all it took for the Allied Pilots Association (APA) to fire back and publicly call out the CDC.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported:
“It doesn’t make sense that the federal government would invest in the airline industry if Americans shouldn’t travel,” said Captain Eric Ferguson, APA President on Friday. “If you’ve been following safe guidelines at home, and your friends or relatives elsewhere have been doing likewise, booking a flight to visit them should not increase your risk…
… Numerous studies affirm that flying remains far and away the safest mode of travel,” Capt. Ferguson commented. “If the issue lies with individual behavior once travelers reach their destinations, then we hope that the CDC will focus its efforts there.”
And, he’s right.
Studies have even shown the chance of catching COVID-19 on a plane is low – especially with the intense air filtration systems they use, which are of a higher grade than a hospital operating room.
Others in the travel industry, like Tori Emerson Barnes of the U.S. Travel Association, also urged the CDC to stop its stranglehold on travel.
“We feel it is critical for U.S. public health officials to set goals for relaxing the official guidance around travel. The year-long pause of travel has kept people apart and caused serious damage to the economy and jobs, and with vaccines progressing and encouraging case trends in many areas, it should be possible to consider a time frame for a broader reopening of travel,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy.”
But with Biden giving TSA the power to fine a 2-year-old for not keeping their mask on – and airlines even kicking passengers with special needs off their plane – it seems like the attack on travel continues across the board.
As for Americans, they’re doing their best to stay out of the politics and just live their lives.
In fact, travel has actually increased in the past month – setting records not seen since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
So the CDC and the airlines can continue to duke it out. As for the rest of us – we’ll continue to do our best to make our lives as normal as possible and travel – if they’ll let us.
To stay current on the latest Proud American Traveler stories, follow us on Facebook and be sure to like and share our posts!
