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 

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Received December 02, 2020 - Published December 09, 2020

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