MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell just can’t quit pandemic restrictions. On her Friday show on MSNBC, Mitchell declared that airplane mask mandates should remain, not because of any scientific reason, but because they make her feel more comfortable.
As part of a conversation with Dr. Vin Gupta, Mitchell expressed wonder and the idea that people with COVID might be able to get onboard a plane, “One of the things that surprised me because I travel internationally and you always have to get tested and show a negative test before you can even get a boarding pass, is that domestically you don't have to. You just have to be masked and so, people who have COVID could be on those airplanes, right?”
Gupta affirmed this is true, “Which is why the federal mask mandate has been extended by a few weeks. There's many of us, I’ve heard from flight attendants across the country who say, you know, we would like that mask mandate in place until kiddos under five, until everybody has access to a vaccine. Because there is that risk, that somebody still might have the virus, might be able to transmit it.”
However, Gupta immediately contradicted himself and unwittingly showed why extending the airplane mask mandate makes no scientific sense, “I ultimately think airplane cabins are very safe. There's fantastic ventilation.”
After Gupta reversed himself one more time, urging the mandate to remain until the vaccine is available to children under five, Mitchell condemned the airline companies for lobbying for the mandate’s removal, “Of course, the airlines are pressing really hard. They, you know, cried bloody murder after that extension this week and the industry says it's not fair to keep the mask in place in mass transit, although a lot, those of us who travel feel more comfortable on all kinds of public transit with the masks.”
Gupta responded by repeating his position that the mandates should remain until children under five are eligible to receive the vaccine, which according to him “is right down the pipe.”
If Mitchell wants to wear a mask forever, that is her propagative, but why others should be forced to do so just so she can feel for comfortable in a “very safe” airplane is something she did not have an answer to.
This segment was sponsored by Hyundai.
Here is a transcript for the April 15 show:
MSNBC Andrea Mitchell Reports
4/15/2022
12:22 PM ET
ANDREA MITCHELL: One of the things that surprised me because I travel internationally and you always have to get tested and show a negative test before you can even get a boarding pass, is that domestically you don't have to. You just have to be masked and so, people who have COVID could be on those airplanes, right?
VIN GUPTA: That's absolutely right. Which is why the federal mask mandate has been extended by a few weeks. There's many of us, I’ve heard from flight attendants across the country who say, you know, we would like that mask mandate in place until kiddos under five, until everybody has access to a vaccine. Because there is that risk, that somebody still might have the virus, might be able to transmit it. I ultimately think airplane cabins are very safe. There's fantastic ventilation. Right now, everybody's masking. I would like to see those stay in place until kids under five have access to the vaccine.
MITCHELL: Of course, the airlines are pressing really hard. They, you know, cried bloody murder after that extension this week and the industry says it's not fair to keep the mask in place in mass transit, although a lot, those of us who travel feel more comfortable on all kinds of public transit with the masks.
GUPTA: You know and I think that's right, Andrea. And the workers, flight attendants who are parents to young children. They’re, I'm hearing directly from that demographic, especially. Of course, our high-risk individuals that are in airplane cabins, we're all doing our part to keep them safe because the vaccines often aren't as effective in that group specifically. So, it is wise, for the next two-to-four weeks, to keep these mask mandates in place until, and this is right down the pipe, until the FDA clears vaccines for under five.
