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Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Dogs allowed without masks

TheMiddleSeat
Aviator A

@Lindamct Is it socialism or communism? I'm confused. Maybe you should just not post multiple posts in multiple threads with political talking points?

 

--TheMiddleSeat

 

 

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

StormyDaniels92
Explorer C

Should People With Asthma Wear Face Coverings or Masks?

The CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) both recommend that you wear masks or fabric face coverings in public where you can’t keep a proper distance from other people. The WHO recommends wearing a fabric mask that allows you to breathe while talking and walking too quickly. A face covering may not be best for everyone. According to the CDC, these people should not wear face coverings:

  • Children under age 2
  • Anyone who has trouble breathing
  • Anyone who is unconscious, unable to help themselves or can’t remove the mask on their own

Some people with asthma may experience discomfort or have trouble breathing while wearing a face covering.

 

https://community.aafa.org/blog/what-people-with-asthma-need-to-know-about-face-masks-and-coverings-...

 

 

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

DKB
Explorer C

Unfortunately you are wrong.  I have allergy induced asthma which means I will have an asthma attack when I unknowingly eat something I'm allergic to.  I didn't become allergic to some foods until my late 40's and it was discovered when I ate a taco salad at a local restaurant that I'd had dozens of times in over 10 years.  In the 10 minutes from when we left the restaurant until I got home I started wheezing for the first time and then itching terribly and just wanted to crawl in bed but when putting on pajamas I could watch a rash start spreading all over.  I called nurses line and she said OK for my husband to drive me to hospital which was only about 7 minutes away as long as we had cell phone to call 911 on the way if needed as I was having difficulty breathing by this time.  At the hospital they rushed me back as I was having my first asthma attack.  All we could determine is that a cook at the restaurant which has shrimp on the  menu and I never eat may have accidentally dripped shrimp juice into other ingredients on the line which ended up in my dinner.  Now if I have something that triggers wheezing I take benadryl to stop it as the ER wasn't fun and it was the IV fluids were painful and burned while administered slowly.  I have now had 3 asthma attacks and they have only been mask induced as if it's something I ate it happens within about 20 minutes and I had not eaten in an hour or more before going into building that required a mask.  My 1st 2 times it was within 10 minutes of putting on mask and having my breathing restricted that I started wheezing so since I didn't have perishables in my cart I abandoned my cart and exited to take of mask as quickly as possible and within 10-15 minutes my breathing cleared up - without medication - by the time I arrived home. It was the removal  of the mask allowing me to breath that helped.  The 3rd time once the wheezing started about 9pm at night I got the mask off as soon as I could but within 10 minutes I went from wheezing to difficulty breathing.  As soon as we got home I spent 10 minutes tearing through all the drawers in our bathroom and anywhere else I could think and was completely out of Benadryl.  I told my husband we needed to run to closest store a mile away where I could get some as if I didn't take some soon and see if it would work within 20 minutes we would have to go to ER.  My husband grabbed his keys and we jumped in car as I wasn't going to stay home alone in case I stopped breathing.  He pulls up in front of door and says he can't go in as he doesn't have any shoes on - he ran out of house too fast.  I had to run in and of course pharmacy is always in the back and was panicking when I couldn't spot the pink box right away.  I found it and then ran to self check out as only 1 register was open and the manager was helping the cashier with a customer.  My CC chip wasn't working and I'm still in panic mode as I'm gasping for breath.  I ask the manager if there is another register to open (gasping between each word) as my card was having issue and I was having asthma attack.  She took me right to another register and my chip still wasn't working and she tried swiping and for unknown reason still not working - she said just take it and go.  I said I wanted to pay and dug out another card as fast as I can and it worked and I got out of there.  I didn't wear a mask in and believe me not one person said anything about it as I was clearly in distress.  I swallowed a couple pills and within 15 minutes my airwaves were opening up which was a good sign and withing 30 minutes the wheezing stopped.  So take it from someone with 1st hand experience who after about 10 years knows how to spot the 1st signs of attack and what I was doing in the previous 10-20 minutes to know what the trigger was

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

Zace0214
Explorer C

You try operating with insufficient oxygen then block off one of your nostrils.   Yes controlled asthma is not affected by masks, but a person in full blown asthmatic exacerbation in highly impacted by a mask.  The fact this passenger was in her seat WITHOUT the mask and a nearby passenger not only didn't mind but offered her their inhaler speaks to the level of distress.

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

StormyDaniels92
Explorer C

Please don’t quote any “prominent surgeon” without, at least providing a name or source.

Being more concerned about someone wearing a mask, than you are about them having access to suitable oxygen to sustain life seems pretty selfish. Asthma life threatening just like COVID. Your disregard for human life and basic compassion is quite despicable for you to point fingers.

 

If you’re so worried about contracting Covid-19, maybe you should stay home instead of catching flights and feelings.

 

Karen, much?

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

LisaRKR
Explorer C

A prominent surgeon?  Of what?  Apparently you do not and have never had any type of breathing issues.  Consider yourself very fortunate and thank God instead of doing his job and judging others.  As someone who suffers from asthma, let me inform you of what that prominent surgeon failed to state:  many, many asthmatics begin to hyperventilate with something covering their nose and mouth.  Hyperventilating leads to an asthma attack.  It is miserable and I guarantee you that if you ask any asthmatic, they would be happy to trade the ability to wear a mask for their asthma any day!!!  

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

Zace0214
Explorer C

The problem here is that the employee wasnt doing their job!  The employee violated the terms of the airline's policy regarding people in distress.

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

ipsedixit
Frequent Flyer C

@TheMiddleSeat wrote:

@wdrake98 wrote:

 

TL;DR

 

As an asthmatic I have breathing issues after running to my gate.  Gate attendant forces me to wear mask and I privately, quietly to her hearing only say b@($* as I walk past her. She forces me to grovel and apologize before allowing me on flight. Southwest mask policy has exceptions for medical conditions and people having trouble breathing.

 


Only read the TLDR version. Anyone who swears at an employee trying to do their job deserves nothing, no apology, nothing. Be grateful you were allowed to fly. 

--TheMiddleSeat


I dunno.

 

If someone were to put my life at risk -- be they an employee of a company or not -- I'd be pretty foul mouthed too.

 

I think if my life was at risk, the last thing on my mind would be making sure what comes out of my mouth is courteous and non-vulgar.

 

But, heck, that's just me.

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

StormyDaniels92
Explorer C

When, in the history of CUSTOMER SERVICE, has a customer been required to offer a “sincere apology” to an employee after getting mouthy? It is that company’s duty to accommodate the customer, not only because she is in physical and emotional distress, but because she’s giving them her patronage. She could have easily flown with United or American. It’s disheartening when a company you’ve been loyal to treats you like a dog on the street.

 

The airline’s policy states that passengers are required to wear masks with the EXCEPTION of a medical emergency. She deserves a “sincere” apology from Martha, the employee, for lack of empathy and failure to uphold company guidelines. She also deserves a “sincere” apology from Southwest Airlines for failure to enforce their policies set in place to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Re: Mask Exception - Asthma - Forced to apologize

PetertheProphet
Adventurer B

Maybe the original poster shouldn't have sworn at the gate agent, but she was forcing him to reduce his oxygen saturation DESPITE knowing about his medical condition. Not sure if you've ever run a business before, but when profit margins are as razor thin as they are when one is running an airline, the customer gets the final say. 

 

Ever heard the old expression, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you"? Well, in this particular case, the customer is the one providing the money. No need for the wheedling; you know very well that Southwest would have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy had it not been for federal TAXPAYER bailouts.