re: Southwest Airlines removes boy living with autism and his family from flight over mask

Let me be clear.

I don’t care about the kid. I don’t care about the Karen. I don’t care about the airline. I don’t care about any of the specifics.

The pertinent point for me is that when it comes to the virus there’s really no functional difference between a 2 yo and a 3 yo. Hell, in terms of transmission there’s not much difference between a 2yo and a 9yo.

If their policy was the all passengers had to be in a bubble and wear clown shoes, would you say “well that’s their policy?”

You’d be right, but it doesn’t mean the policy is grounded in reality. Stay 6 feet away from the little booger eater. Shouldn’t be that close anyway. More likely to get chicken pox from him than the Rona.

My gripe is with illogical policies, not the minutiae.

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I have an issue expecting 3 year olds to wear a mask for lengthy periods of times. There needs to be some leeway. But the family could have taken alternative transport.

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Most businesses including airlines DO NOT WANT TO ENFORCE A STRINGENT MASK POLICY.

The MAJOR reason they are doing so is the same group of mold infected fecal growths that make Louisiana have the highest car insurance cost in the country. Plaintiff lawyers are masturbating to pictures of the Covid virus as many see this as the next big score.

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I think I’m pretty well versed.....

anyway, here is some light reading on ADA and mask wearing specifically. Think it would be a good case. Southwest has a good argument for undue burden, but they better hope the dotted their Is and crossed there Ts before sending this family on their way

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Do you not think that this would fall under a "direct threat"? If the argument for mask wearing is that if you don't wear a mask, you are a threat to others on the flight, because there is no way to social distance on a flight, then I would think not wearing a mask on a flight would be considered a "direct threat".

Seems to me the husband should get his arse on a plane

Can that kid with autism still be carrying COVID-19 and spread it throughout the plane? If so, sorry, but he needs a mask or a private vehicle to travel in.

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Can that kid with autism still be carrying COVID-19 and spread it throughout the plane? If so, sorry, but he needs a mask or a private vehicle to travel in.

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What about the 1 year old with Covid on the seat behind them not wearing a mask because they don’t require it?

Because it isn’t about disease. It’s about compliance.

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So you at least admit it’s pretty arbitrary?

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100%, but so are most of our laws. What's the difference between 17 and 18? 16 and 17? 15 and 16? We have laws that "respect" a difference between all of these pairs of ages, and in reality, it doesn't make much sense.

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Did Southwest offer the child other means to cover their face?

Did they have face shields or other coverings besides a mask to offer? If not, they will lose this legal battle

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From reading your link, it doesn't say that they have to offer other means, they just have to allow other means.

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Examples of reasonable modifications to a face mask policy
Allow a person to wear a scarf, loose face covering, or full face shield instead of a face mask;

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I thought most exemptions were for 6 and under. Southwest is definitely in the wrong, here. A 3 year old special needs child should have been a no brainer to allow to fly.

Flew Southwest a few weeks ago and the masks weren't a big deal. The best part was empty middle seats. I wouldn't mind keeping that policy, even if they have to raise prices 1/3.

Though it's silly that they come around and offer you a small pour of water but won't serves soft drinks.