December 22, 2020 — We are still in the middle of the worst crisis this country has faced in 100 years with 195,00 cases, and 1,618 deaths recorded yesterday. At the same time, TSA screened 1,064,629 people at airport checkpoints nationwide on Sunday, Dec. 20. It was the third consecutive day that checkpoint volume surpassed 1 million since the pandemic began. While it will look very different from years past, we expect the next 6 weeks to be the busiest we’ve seen since the pandemic upended our jobs and lives. At the same time, COVID infections are running at the highest rate since the onset of the pandemic. We need to remain vigilant and attentive to the safety procedures we have in place.
As we work flights and navigate airports with more passengers, it’s critical for all of us to do our part to keep ourselves, our passengers and our families at home safe.
Pandemic fatigue is a real thing and it can cause us to let down our guard. Just like we practice our immediate response items every year in CQ, it's important to constantly check our actions to protect ourselves and minimize the risk of spreading the virus. If you’re working or traveling over the coming weeks, do a constant silent review of these actions:
- Wear a mask, covering your nose and mouth, any time you’re in public spaces
- Wash and sanitize your hands regularly while at work and during travel
- Be aware of local COVID-19 restrictions when on layover
- Rethink layover activities, especially any social interaction
- Practice the same mask etiquette around your flying partners on or off the plane (you are a leader and the traveling public will follow your lead)
- Maintain social distance wherever possible
Not only will our planes and travel spaces be more crowded over the next week, many of the passengers flying during the holidays will be traveling to and from family gatherings and other situations where the risk of infection is significantly increased, often without the onset of symptoms. Redouble efforts to keep yourself safe during this time.
If you are sick or may have been exposed to COVID-19
Your AFA Master Executive Councils (MEC) have negotiated Letters of Agreement (LOAs) for Flight Attendants who are exposed to a test positive or who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Check with your local or MEC and familiarize yourself with contractual agreements and/or your airline's policy in addition to CDC guidelines. Put simply: if you are sick, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been confirmed exposed to a positive case, stay home.
If you have tested positive, are awaiting test results, or may have been exposed, please complete our confidential Exposure Reporting Form so that AFA can support you.
- Common: fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, dry cough and new loss of taste or smell
- Some may have: aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
- If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.
- Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. However, this makes the spread harder to contain and puts others at risk.
AFA EAP is always available at 800-424-2406.
