SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Viewpoints: Letters / Opinions

Masks

By Yolanda Sainz

 

December 09, 2020
Wednesday AM


In this day and age of Covid-19, most places have a mask mandate. The CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in  public settings and when around people who don't live in their household. However, this is not the case at the Ketchikan International airport. 

It is a very small airport, with little to no ventilation. There is no consideration to the fact that long after an area is clear of people, small particles of the virus can linger in the air for minutes, up to hours, be inhaled and lead to infection. 

It is beyond careless that masks are not required for all entering the airport; including those who have disembarked the aircraft from areas with high cases of Covid-19. Passengers are required to wear a mask on the aircraft, but can take it off the moment they walk into the terminal.

Passengers arriving from southern destinations are required to have a covid test upon arrival or show proof of a negative test. There is little to no social distancing while they stand in line. Most people wear a mask, but some don’t. 

I work for one of the airlines that flies out of the airport and am required to wear a mask. I’ve followed all the guidelines, yet I got Covid-19. I feel it defeats the purpose if some wear masks and others don’t, especially in such a small building. 

I want to feel safe going to work and quite frankly, feel it is a hazardous working environment.  I worry about all the passengers who travel for medical purposes as well. They are very vulnerable and have compromised immune systems.  Contracting the virus could potentially be deadly. 

Why isn’t there a mask requirement at the airport? How difficult is it to wear a piece of cloth over your nose and mouth, especially at an international airport? Wearing a mask could possibly save others from a very painful virus or even death. Is it too much to ask to feel safe at work or when you travel? We have to do better than this. 

Yolanda Sainz
Ketchikan, Alaska 

 

About:

 

Editor's Note:

The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.

Received December 02, 2020 - Published December 09, 2020

Related Viewpoint:

letter

 

Representations of facts and opinions are solely those of the writers and do not represent the opinions of Sitnews.

 

E-mail your letters & opinions to editor@sitnews.us
Your full name, city and state are required for letter publication.

Published letters become the property of SitNews.

SitNews ©2020
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews are considered protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.

E-mail your news & photos to editor@sitnews.us

Photographers choosing to submit photographs for publication to SitNews are in doing so granting their permission for publication and for archiving. SitNews does not sell photographs. All requests for purchasing a photograph will be emailed to the photographer.