Poll to follow. It’s about my specific situation, but I’m inviting a more general discussion.
I have to fly somewhere in two days–two flights, a total of ten hours. The trip cannot be rescheduled, and a cancellation would mean wasting perfectly good $700 airline tickets.
That being said, I’m sick. It’s not the flu. I’ve been to the doctor, and it’s a cold. Kind of a crappy, in-my-throat-and-lungs cold, but a cold nonetheless. I have a decongestant, an expectorant, albuterol, and throat lozenges. I also asked for a few masks.
My reasoning was thus: I’m going to be on two different planes for 3 1/2 and 6 1/2 hours. I think it’s common courtesy to avoid spreading germs in such confined quarters. As I know I’m sick, it’s therefore only polite to be wearing a mask.
My doctor says that it’d be more likely to keep me from getting sick (since I started my cold on Friday), and it might get me weird looks on the plane. I say that a few weird looks are worth the risk, and that less contagious is still contagious. Moreover, I think it’d make people more comfortable to see someone in a mask than it would be to see someone without a mask coughing the way that I do (it sounds horrible; everything always goes to my lungs).
Now, I’m pretty much set in what I’m going to do, unless someone tells me it’ll make the plane crash or something, but I figure it’s a topic for reasonable debate. What would be the best option? Note: I live in the US, and the flight is within the US (Chicago to Phoenix to Anchorage).
I think it would be the right thing to do. Also carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use that frequently. I saw quite a few people wearing masks last time I flew. Asians seem fond of them.
I would say “Yes, if you are comfortable with it.” I’ve shared airspace with people using breathing masks several times. I’ve always thought it polite of them to wear one, though I’m only sure that one of them had a streaming cold. The poor woman was suffering through the flight but was very cautious about touching anything.
If the cold wasn’t horrible, I would start taking zinc now and take mucinex, kleenex and throat drops with me on the plane. If I was really sick, I’d take all that plus much more, including a face mask.
When I’ve seen this (not often) my default assumption is that they are trying to protect themselves from the disease vectors around them, not that they are trying to protect me from their disease.
I always see surgical masks as more like ace bandages–they’re there as a reminder, so you either avoid people who are coughing (defensively) or make sure to cover your mouth when you cough (offensively).
I’d say wear it, and if anybody takes offense, take the mask off and cough on them.
Actually, that’d probably get you kicked off the plane, so don’t do that. Rather, I’d ask around–speak up and say “Hey, guys, I’ve got a cold that I don’t want you to have. Anybody mind if I wear this mask except that guy over there?”
I don’t fly, both for financial reasons and because I have serious issues with invasive security theater measures such as digital strip-searches or having to be groped, but I’d think other passengers would realize the reason for the mask. I’m not sure how security or the flight crew would deal with it, though, so I’d suggest calling the airline and asking. In some settings, a mask is going to trigger security attention (e.g., bank or convenience store), but I’m not sure if a plane is such a setting.
I recently flew alongside someone who wore a mask.
As soon as she sat down in her seat, she pulled out her mask, and said to me and anyone else within earshot “Excuse be,…I hab a terrible code in by doze”. She didnt have to say anything more.
She put on her mask, and everybody was grateful.
I answered No for a cold, Yes for something more serious — but it sounds like your cold is pretty bad, and I think it’s polite and considerate of you to wear a mask. If I were sitting next to you I’d certainly appreciate it!
Oooh, I feel your pain. Wearing a mask for a long journey is a real drag, and it kind of freaks out people around you, and begs inquiries.
I flew home from Singapore to Toronto, and the height of the SARS thing. It was early days, people were dropping where I was leaving AND where I was going. Masks were not easy to get, being snapped up quickly. But my friends in Singapore got one for me, for the plane ride. I really, really, didn’t want to wear it for what was an almost 34hr journey home. (Sars meant flights in were being cancelled, the number of flights out were being slashed, and connections grew longer and longer!)
I had it in my carry on, but convinced myself very likely this would be the cleanest plane I’d ever travel on, what with the fear and the unknowns. I fell asleep after the meal, and when I woke up you could tell someone had vomited, you could smell it. And a lot of people had masks on. So I put mine on. Yikes!
When I thought about it I realized, it would be foolish not to since I had it right there.
I say, wear it. Initially people may just think you a silly germaphobe. But it should become clear to them quickly that you are actually ill. They will greatly appreciate your efforts, when that happens.
You have my deepest sympathies it is not pleasant to travel when you are not well.
I need to warn the OP: flying stuffed sinuses is NOT fun. Expect searing pain during your ascent and descent. Also, the last time it happened to me, it took literally 4 days until my ears popped.
I’m expecting it and planning accordingly. I also purchased a pair of Earplanes in the hope that it’ll alleviate the worst of the pain. I’m not overly optimistic, though.
I’m also going to be rocking the hand sanitizer something fierce.
My husband wore a mask on a plane when he was less than 24 hours out from getting an antibiotic shot for strep throat. We were with a bunch of people we knew, and didn’t want to get them sick. Many, many SARS jokes were made.
I think it’s considerate to wear the mask, but I wouldn’t be surprised if people assumed you had a serious contagious disease. I suppose this misconception is not inherently harmful though.
I’m seriously thinking about wearing a mask the next time I fly to STAY healthy. Every time I fly I seem to catch a bug from all of that recirculated air.
Be aware that if you take the mask off for any longer than blowing your nose, you need to throw it away and put on a new one. The inside of the mask is a wonderfully warm and moist environment - letting it sit and collect other people’s germs, then putting it back on your face, is going to do you more harm than good.
At least, this is what I have been told. Someone with more medical knowledge may come along to correct me.
