Will Dropping Mask Mandate Mean More Friendly Skies?

A lot of airline passengers are happy about that federal judge’s ruling striking down the government’s mask mandate on planes.

But that doesn’t mean all airlines will drop the masks. The judge’s ruling means airlines can’t be forced to do it, but airlines can choose to still have passengers wear masks. Some airlines quickly said they were no longer keeping masks on while others have not made any change at least for now.

Let’s face it. No one enjoys wearing a mask on their face. But some airline passengers still will…even if the airline they’re on doesn’t require it. Just as we are seeing in San Diego Unified and some other school districts, with the statewide mask mandate having been dropped, a lot of students are still wearing masks indoors because they and/or their parents want to.

Some say the masks don’t make a difference in whether you get COVID.  Most others say they do make a difference, not a fool proof one, but a significant one. Just look at the historically low number of flu cases since we all had to start wearing masks.

The debate over masks will probably never end. And it may fire up again if there’s another significant spike in new cases and hospitalizations.

But whatever the debate, wearing masks comes down to is personal choice and responsibility but also courteous behavior toward others. And hopefully fewer fights on flights and friendlier skies.

(Photo Getty Images)