Epidemiologist Calls Out Delta Airlines After Airline Quietly Backtracks On COVID-19 Information
The mask mandate on commercial airlines is over, due not to any change in safety levels for air travel, but to the response of a judge who ruled that implementing the regulation was not within the scope of the CDC’s powers. However, experts are saying that it would be wise for travelers to still use safety precautions, even if they’re not enforced — and one epidemiologist is demonstrating exactly why no one should take airline policy as evidence of the healthiest choices.
Delta Airlines joined others in releasing a statement to employees about what is expected of them going forward. However, some readers were disappointed in the company’s explanation of the change, and Delta ended up editing their statement.
Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist who has made efforts to keep the public informed throughout the pandemic, called them out on Twitter for their quiet backtrack.
BREAKING— Under pressure for spreading misinfo that COVID is an “ordinary seasonable virus”—@Delta has now reversed course and changed to now say it is a “more manageable respiratory virus”. That’s very debatable but better. #CovidIsNotOver
HT @WUTangKidshttps://t.co/rqHU4mHGG0 pic.twitter.com/fgPYUUhpCX
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) April 19, 2022
The statement was edited more than once, but you can see an older version here, describing COVID-19 as “an ordinary seasonal virus.”
We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 has transitioned to an ordinary seasonal virus.
After backlash, Delta updated the statement. A current version can be seen here, acknowledging that the change is less in the virus than in the ability to combat it.
We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 transitions to a more manageable respiratory virus – with better treatments, vaccines and other scientific measures to prevent serious illness.
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