Posted on 03/30/2020 10:19:34 PM PDT by rintintin
It’s no secret that airliner passengers and crews are at an increased risk of infection with the novel coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease, but how many pilots and flight attendants have come down with the virus? It’s impossible to say right now for two reasons. There’s not enough testing capacity in the U.S. health care system to get tests for all who are symptomatic, let alone for all flight crewmembers, and a substantial percentage of people who acquire the novel coronavirus never experience symptoms or have only mild symptoms they might not associate with COVID-19.
The subject has come to the fore this week after reports came out that a Philadelphia-based flight attendant for American Airlines, Paul Frishkorn, who was a long time union rep, died of COVID-19 earlier in the week. Frishkorn, who was in his early 60s, is the first U.S.-based crewmember that we know of, but there are reports of pilots and flight attendants are getting sick. How many is impossible to know right now, and that seems to be part of the problem. There is no mandated reporting by the airlines, and pilots seem concerned that there are more infections that anyone is aware of.
Reports are still anecdotal. I know two pilots who likely have it, one ... diagnosed with COVID-19, and the other with serious symptoms consistent with the disease. The latter, ... in her late 30s, is recovering at home and reportedly improving after earlier experiencing severe symptoms, all part of an ordeal that is closing in two weeks now. According to ... her Facebook page, when she reached out to her health care provider ..., she was informed that, “Due to a severe shortage of supplies, we are only able to order COVID-19 test for hospitalized patients, or health care workers.”
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
My son works for an airline (in flight). So far so good. Makes me nervous tho.
[Frishkorn, who was in his early 60s]
Prayers for him and all flight attendants and pilots at this time
My DIL [a Flight Attendant] has two! “buns” in the “oven”.
Fortunately she is currently furloughed from SW.
And my wife and I can help to support the “kids’” household expenses until the due date.
Totally crazy times.
if he’s below 60 and most likely in good health and fit, then his risk is low. I’m sure he’s sanitizing, not leaving the cabin, so his risks are lower
We have a family member who is a pilot with one of the big three. Their airline has one pilot and two stews out with COVID-19.
Southwest has no furloughed workers.
He’s in great health and under 25. He’s Not happy that gyms are closed as he went almost daily (hotel gyms while away). So, he’s got a in room routine.
He’s concerned about when he gets back home because I’m high risk. But, he takes many precautions for this reason. So far, so good. (Worrying does me no good although I would be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t at times). I’m concerned about him. He’s concerned about me. We can only do our best.
I’m soo glad she isn’t working. Although the circumstances are not good, I hope she can take this opportunity to relax and nest’. It’s actually a great opportunity to do so. This is when family is so important- to help each other, just as you are doing. Blessings to your family.
I didn’t realize planes were still flying.
Are airlines still recirculating cabin air? My guess is ‘probably’, since it saves fuel, and they don’t need as many active crew these days.
Not everything is shut down. Some people are still going to work. My husband is one of them and travel is necessary.
Frankly, I’m more concerned that people don’t realize this.
Really? OMG
Talk about the off season! I'll bet you could snag some sweet deals out there.
Perhaps the following will put things into a better perspective. Oh and the airline hype to potential passengers that it is safe to fly......not so much.
“......Marr, the Virginia Tech researcher, said that the choir outbreak reminded her of a classic case study in the spread of infectious disease.
In 1977, an Alaska Airlines flight returned to Homer, Alaska, after experiencing engine trouble and sat on the tarmac there for four hours with the ventilation system off.
Of the 49 passengers on board, 35 developed flu symptoms and five were hospitalized. Researchers ultimately traced the outbreak to a woman who felt fine when she boarded but later became ill.
The case jolted epidemiologists into the realization that influenza could spread through the air.
Research has already shown that the coronavirus is nearly twice as contagious as influenza and far more deadly..........”
https://news.yahoo.com/choir-decided-ahead-rehearsal-now-023414705.html?.tsrc=bell-brknews
We’re having no problem with driving, does this mean free salary until September for us too?
I'm 41 - and I feel irritated that the gyms are closed too.
I can suggest a few youtube logs that are good
This is an American guy in China! So no gym for months. But he gives good tips
Enjoy the time together - this is a serious time, but not panic time!
Yes, the situation is becoming more clear and looking more scary to many. But with more realization, most people and companies will be much more careful. I’m guessing that many of those in risky occupations will have increasingly better chances of avoiding infection from now on.
This might put your mind at ease:
https://www.askthepilot.com/questionanswers/cabin-air-quality/
Excerpts:
Studies have shown that a crowded airplane is no more germ-laden than other enclosed spaces—and usually less.
...
One persistent urban myth holds that pilots routinely cut back on the volume airflow as a means of saving fuel.
...
To start with, pilots cannot tinker with a plane’s air-conditioning systems to modify the ratio of fresh to recirculated air. This ratio is predetermined by the manufacturer and is not adjustable from the cockpit.
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