Alaska Airlines banned State Senator Lora Reinbold for refusing to wear a mask during a flight. According to Alaska Airlines spokesman Tim Thompson, “she is not permitted to fly with us for her continued refusal to comply with employee instruction regarding the current mask policy”. Reinbold said that she had not been notified of the ban.
Reinbold was recorded arguing with an Alaska Airlines staff in Juneau International Airport last week. Senator Lora Reinbold was refusing to wear a mask that covers her nose and mouth. In an interview with a newspaper, “I was reasonable with all Alaska Airlines employees”.
Lora Reinbold the Anti-Masker
By now, it has been established that washing your hands, maintaining social distancing, and wearing masks are basic safety protocols that can prevent COVID19.
Reinbold is a vocal opponent of COVID19 mitigation measures. She objected to Alaska Airlines’ mask policy. Last year, she referred to Alaska Airlines staff as “mask bullies” when she was asked to wear a mask when she boarded a flight. She then sent a cake to flight attendants with a message: “I’m sorry if I offended you”.
Alaska Airlines already banned more than 500 people for violating safety protocols.
Mask Mandate Extension
One of the first things President Joe Biden signed in January was the mask mandate. The mask mandate is expiring on May 11.
A group of flight attendants wanted to have the mask mandate extended through September. Association of Flight Attendants-CWA expressed their intention to extend the mask mandate during a senate hearing. The union represents flight attendants from different airlines including Alaska, United, Spirit, and Frontier.
The airline industry also wants an extension of the mask mandate as trade group Airlines for America also expressed their support. In early March, some governors already lifted mask mandates in some states. President Joe Biden called it “a big mistake”.
Despite the number of vaccinated individuals in the US, the CDC still wants people to wear their masks indoors.
