We’ve had a lot of discussion over masks on airplanes lately as U.S. airlines have eliminated exceptions to wearing facial coverings. But an incident on Southwest Airlines forces us to grapple with whether kicking a three-year-old autistic child off for not wearing a mask a step too far.
Southwest Removes Autistic Three Year Old For Not Wearing A Mask
Alyssa Sadler was planning on flying from Midland, TX to Houston on Monday with her three-year-old son and one-year-old daughter. According to Sadler, her son is autistic and cannot keep a face mask on.
The flight left the gate, but then returned after a flight attendant insisted the child put on a mask.
Recalling the incident, Sadler told ABC13 in Houston:
“They’re going over the security safety features and all that, and the flight attendant walks by and tells me that he has to put a mask on. So, I try to put the mask on him. He is three and has autism and sensory processing disorders, so he wouldn’t keep the mask on.”
But a flight attendant returned and insisted the child put his mask back on.
“He was screaming. He was throwing a fit. He was screaming no, no, no.”
Pleading made no difference. A doctor’s note made no difference. The captain was summoned and personally instructed the boy to wear a mask. He would not. Sadler then said that the captain humiliated her son over the loudspeaker:
“So the captain went back to the front, then he went over the loudspeaker and said that he had a non-compliant passenger that refused to wear a mask and follow the policies so they were heading back to the gate.”
Back at the gate, Southwest “wrote up” her son for non-compliance with its mask policy.
Southwest Airlines Addresses Incident
Southwest issued a generally statement on masks, refusing to address the incident in any specificity:
“Southwest Airlines requires all Customers over the age of two to wear a face covering or mask while traveling to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. We communicate this policy to all Customers at multiple touchpoints throughout the travel journey, so we regret any inconvenience this family experienced. Customers are informed of the policy on our website during booking, in a pre-trip email sent prior to departure, and during a required acknowledgment that’s part of the Customer Health Declaration Form which appears during the online check-in process on the Southwest app, Southwest.com, and Southwest’s mobile website.
“If a Customer is unable to wear a face covering for any reason, Southwest regrets that we are unable to transport the individual. In those cases, we will issue a full refund and hope to welcome the Customer on board in the future, if public health guidance regarding face coverings changes.”
Reasonable Reaction From Southwest?
Sadler insisted her problem was not an ideological one.
“I agree with the mask policy. I wear my mask everywhere I go. It’s not an issue, but you’ve got to have some kind of exemption, especially for people with disabilities.”
Is that a reasonable expectation or must Southwest insist upon a no-exceptions policy? Sadler said the boy did not wear a mask on their outbound flight from Midlands to Houston last week.
After dealing with an autistic child on a flight last year who looked like a perfectly normal boy but could not be controlled, I struggle with this one. I have little sympathy for ideological opponents of masks who feign health problems. This case, it seems to me, is much more difficult. It’s a three-year-old, for goodness sakes. I have enough trouble keeping a mask on my three-year-old and he has no health issues.
It seems to me that this kid was also kicked off more because of his kicking and screaming…oh what a horrible situation this must have been for Sadler. The fact that he was not asked to wear a mask during boarding or onboard on the outbound segment also set up false expectations.
CONCLUSION
Sadler plans to drive home. She insists that asking autistic children to wear masks is cruel and unreasonable:
“No three-year-old, who is autistic and has sensory processing disorder, is going to put anything on their face. He’s supposed to wear glasses. I can’t even get him to wear his glasses to help him see. He just doesn’t understand. He doesn’t like things touching his face, so he’s not going to put a mask on.”
We can debate that. You’re welcome to leave your opinion below. There’s something about this particular story that really troubles me. I understand that the “rules are rules” and one exception opens the door to many. Generally, I don’t think airlines will encounter successful legal challenges for their exception-free mask policy. At the same time, I do not see why going from age two to three suddenly renders a child a public health threat and am much more comfortable with an exception for young children than adults.
Is the Southwest Airlines mask policy toward autistic children reasonable?
> Read More: No More Medical Exemptions To Mandatory Mask Policy. But Is It Legal?
Rules are rules, and this is one of those times that applying them sucks.
Sadly, this was put in place because so many imbeciles refused to wear a mask and claimed “medical” reasons.
“No three-year-old, who is autistic and has sensory processing disorder, is going to put anything on their face.”
Agreed, and the solution here is simple: Don’t fly with the child during the pandemic. Not sure what would **require** a child to fly right now, especially something that can be accomplished with a 7 hour drive.
Agree 100%
maybe the policy kicked in after their first flight … who knows … given the story though maybe she’s better off driving with them …
WTF— rules are rules during a pandemic. Airlines make it quite clear during entire booking process. No mask, no exceptions- period. Why you people cannot follow rules IN A [redacted by admin] PANDEMIC, is beyond logical.
It is for his own protection. What if he contracts the virus after the flight, his mom surely will sue Southwest. I am not a parent so I do not have the experience, but how about giving this boy some sleeping syrup right before the flight, then there will be no issue at all.
Only someone who is not a parent would suggest drugging a child for their own convenience :-\
Wrong, Steve. I have give my child Benadryl or melatonin on many flights, and under the guidance of our pediatrician.
What’s wrong with requiring a liability waiver as part of an exemption?
No mask. No flights. No exceptions.
How about: No mask. No flights. No exceptions (other than the exception for children under 2).
lol
This is what many of out there wanted. Now you have it. Let me know when you’ve had enough of this. Its a good thing that another blogger wasn’t onboard (one who galavants around the world -Turkey- during a pandemic) to chastise three 3 year old.
One Mask at a Time?
Unless you understand what autism is and unless you’re a parent w children w autism, I don’t believe you have the right to judge or criticize. There is a way that this captain and Southwest could have handled this better. We have made every exception in the world on planes to allow pets and service animals to fly. (Even a miniature horse bc it had a “service animal” designation. Come on!
Clearly people with disabilities or health conditions should not be held to the same accountability. They should be sued.
I have autism. The Mom knew the situation ahead of time (Southwest informs people several times before boarding and I’m assuming she didn’t just discover on this flight that the kid won’t wear a mask), she is the one who needs to prepare.
There were situations I was in as a kid that I just couldn’t deal with. My parents did not run around griping about how the world needs to make an exception for them, they just dealt with it. My insistence on only eating white foods (mashed potatoes, chicken breast, Cream of Wheat, pasta alfredo, etc.) meant they called ahead of time, confirmed there was something I could eat on the menu or the kitchen would whip something up. They never showed up, expected the kitchen to prepare something special just for me and throw a sh*t fit when it didn’t happen.
This situation is doubly frustrating because both sides have reasonable arguments as to why they are, in their minds, clearly and unambiguously right:
– The mother had a note from a doctor.
– Southwest posted their no-exceptions policy on their website.
It isn’t clear cut at all.
Agree that’s it’s frustrating and that both sides have reasonable arguments, but I do think this case is pretty clear cut. The mother was asking for an exception (justified by a doctor’s note) and the airline is explicitly stating they don’t make exceptions.
A mask is supposed to protect the rest of us, not the wearer, correct? So, any exception to the mask requirement puts the rest of us at greater risk, does it not? Is that fair? Shouldnt that be the criteria, not assessing individual circumstances to decide if they are worthy of an exception?
No. The normal mask that most people are wearing (light blue outer surface, white inner) helps protect others from your infected droplets. The N-95 mask, which is much more uncomfortable, protects the wearer and those around them.
So this kid and his family can basically never fly again? Due to liability concerns combined with the heightened awareness among the public of the constant threat of airborne-spread illnesses and the resulting opportunities for legal action PLUS required preparedness for the next pandemic, it will be years before airlines end this requirement, if they ever do.
“it will be years before airlines end this requirement”
Correction: You believe there is a chance it may be years before airlines end this requirement. I believe airlines want to end it as soon as the pandemic is over. Prepping for a pandemic does not mean requiring masks from everybody, it may mean having a contingency plan in place so the next pandemic response is more swiftly handled and not as disorganized as this one has been.
Agree with M Houston: No exceptions. To expect anything more would put the airline in jeopardy and the crew would be judges in a cabin-courtroom situation. We need also to be aware that any child over 2 years old is a possible super spreader. Thus a 3 year old may spread the virus while showing no symptoms. The behavior of any autistic child, coupled with an admission of the mother in this instance, certainly warrants the wearing of a mask throughout the entire flight. No exceptions.
“Midlands” should be “Midland” as Texas only has one. Have to side with the child with autism not flying. Because he is unable to wear a mask, he falls into the elevated risk for COVID-19 category. If he catches COVID-19 he may also be at elevated risk for death, because he may resist hospitalization. Have nothing against kids with autism as have had coworkers who had children with autism, scouts in my old troop who had autism and children with autism used to enjoy my garden scale electric and live steam engine trains running at train shows. Unfortunate situation, but you have to err on the side of caution for any folks that have elevated risk.
The ignorance in some of these comments is so sad. To those saying the child should not be flying, then if you are that afraid, why don’t you just stay home? It is none of your business why they were flying. Why are you flying? If you have no idea what it is like having autism or having a family member with autism, then you will never understand. And in for the article to say “normal looking child”, what that hell? There is no look to autism. Autism is a developmental disability. ACAA should be protecting them, just like ADA does on the ground, but the nuts are running the asylum.
This is 100% right… if someone else on the plane is too scared to fly with other people around, then they should stay the hell home themselves. Instead they believe that the 10 cent Chinese masks thatvthey are wearong are going to somehow magically protect them. The only way to 100% safeguard themselves from the cooties is to stay at home by themselves.
I might post about this topic later, but I think a point getting lost here is that the airlines changed the rules on young children with very little notice. AA changed the rules to take effect literally the day we flew to Alaska, and AS changed them three days before we were set to fly back. So it’s not like there was any way to “know the rules” in advance. (For the record, no, we would not have booked the trip had we known at the time that we’d have to try and mask our 3-year old. I don’t know if that’s the case here or not.)
We muddled through as best we could, but no, it’s simply not possible to force your toddler/preschooler to wear a mask all day long. I saw several other parents struggling with the same thing. Luckily no airline employees on our flights cared to enforce the rules on little kids. Nevertheless, now that the rules are clear, we won’t be flying again until masks aren’t a thing or Ashok’s old enough to keep one on. Which sadly probably means several years at the rate things are going.
Totally fair point about the limited lack of notice given to parents of young children.
The reality is, masks are going to become something we are going to all get used to for this pandemic (which will not end any earlier than 6 months, and likely much longer). and the next (there will be increased number of these pandemics over time). Having a young child I get it’s difficult to get them comfortable with masks – it’s like getting their faces wet for swimming. So since April we have been slowly introducing mask wear and my children can now wear an n95 all day. Like a Matthew is doing, all parents who want their kids to be able to do anything should just keep working on it now regardless of whether you even believe in masks as it is just the reality of what is required now by law and business rules.
Yes. I, personally, agree with you that this reaction is harsh and cruel. But the hard reality is this: one exception leads to another, leading to another. This virus isn’t something to joke about (despite the fact that I, personally, am not worried about my own health). He can’t fly. I’m sorry, Matthew, if you can’t keep a mask on someone, you can’t fly until this pandemic is over. Ditto that for your three year old son (though it pains me to say that). It isn’t your fault that you can’t keep a mask on Augustine, and I’m not going to sit here and berate you for “being a bad father” or anything like that, but unfortunately, the right thing to do is keep him off an airplane. Anyone who tells me I’m being too harsh, I’d say that I agree with you. I am. But there is no reason whatsoever to make an exception when it will lead to others, and if it goes far enough, lost lives. I’d rather be too harsh than kill too many people, meaning kill one person.
I don’t disagree with you. We’ve been working with Augustine on keeping his mask on and have a special junior-size mask for him that fits him snugly.
Then he can fly. You just need to use your best judgement, and I think you’re doing that. 🙂
To play Devil’s Advocate, there is some actual scientific evidence that very young children aren’t significant COVID spreaders. To whit, Alaska recently exempted children under 10 from COVID testing to visit as long as the parents test negative. Several states with mask requirements also specifically exempt children at a higher age cutoff, usually somewhere between 6 and 10. What these airline mask policies essentially do is ban families with toddlers and preschoolers from flying (because sorry, I can count the number of 3-6 year olds who will judiciously keep a mask on for hours). Is such a ban truly a just policy decision here?
Agree with this. The cut-off at 2 seems a little early. When I flew to Europe my 3 year-old, she was able to wear a mask for about 5 minutes before taking it off and then refused to wear it. Thankfully KLM only requires masks on kids 10 and over, so she flew without it and we didn’t break any rules. But after 8 hours on the first flight, I removed mine for our 2 hour layover in AMS. I had planned to keep wearing it, but I just needed a “breathing break” before the next flight. So it’s really not reasonable to expect 2 and 3 year olds to wear a mask for many hours. I’d be much more happy with a cut-off at 5 or 6.
AMS did not require masks in the airport, but if they did obviously I would have complied.
But wait, as you recently opined, Trump irresponsibly didn’t support legislation requiring facemasks on flights, and yet somehow, without legislation that always gets loaded with pork and pet projects, the airline was still able to enforce a facemask requirement? Shocking, just shocking. Now can you see why some could have reasonably opposed solving a non problem with legislation?
Isn’t it a better situation where airlines are the ones deciding borderline situations like this, and not the feds? And if you don’t like how this airline handled it, you can fly with someone else. It’s called freedom. Yes, that concept still is relevant in covid times.
You misread that piece WR2. I simply reported on in but did not express an opinion.
I guarantee there are 3 year olds flying without masks all. the. time. This was either a specific pilot/FA who follows the rules to a T, or a case of not wanting to fly with a disruptive, “special” child.
Just last week, someone I follow on Instagram posted photos of their 3 and 5 year old, clearly on a Southwest plane, both not wearing masks, on the ground and in the air. Let’s be honest there is a double standard here.
I really think it was about the kid screaming more than the mask. Just speculation, though.
The kid probably wouldn’t have been screaming if they weren’t trying to put a face mask on him!!!
Since unmasked passengers can transmit the virus even if they’re asymptomatic, allowing them onboard jeopardizes the safe operation of the aircraft. In order to avoid discrimination litigation, this mask requirement must be enforced uniformly.
God bless this dear family and all families who are struggling more than ever with these times.
We are a culture that excessively claims to be “victims”
I’m a 1K on U tied but I don’t fly during the pandemic. In fact I don’t do a lot of things because I’m older and a diabetic. But I don’t blame others for what I can’t do. I’m just trying to keep others safe just as I am , myself. These times , it seems, are bri hung out the worst and the best in people. Just look at the comments.
Cutoffs are arbitrary. But why stop at complaining 3 and 2 are not that different?
Complain also that 20 year olds should be able to drink, and adults should be able to have sex with 17 year olds.
20-year-olds SHOULD be able to drink. The fact that the drinking age in the United States is 21 and is strictly enforced is absurd, but that’s another topic altogether.
There’s a certain irony in being able to serve in the military, vote, enter into contracts, but not be allowed to buy beer or cigarettes (in an increasing number of states).
I have a medical condition making wearing a mask very, very difficult. My solution: I do not fly.
Matthew, article aside, your son has the most beautiful golden curls! I wonder, are they from you, Heidi or a bit of both? And I wonder if he will keep the curls as he ages as they unfortunately straighten out as the child ages – which is what happened to my two boys. Wavy hair today, but no more beautiful curls that people always wanted to play with when they were toddlers.
Joe Biden, is that you?
This is absolutely wrong! I wear my mask everywhere I go out of respect for store owners and people who are terrified over this virus. For goodness sakes the child was three and autistic. What is wrong with people. I will never fly with this airline again. I would rather walk then give my business to them. I probably would have been taken off this plane in handcuffs if this happened to me. What is wrong with you people. I’d personally like to know who the pilot was. I’m so sorry you and your beautiful babies had to go through this.
Andrew-Stuart: I sure wish I had hair like Augustine still today. When I was three, my hair was just like it. Blonde too. But it straightened out and darkened. My wife also had hair like that (and her hair also straightened, but was always dark).
To sum it all
Southwest shall remove the heart or love slogan
Perhaps Southworst
this kid and his family can basically never fly again? Due to liability concerns combined with the heightened awareness among the public of the constant threat of airborne-spread illnesses and the resulting opportunities for legal action PLUS required preparedness for the next pandemic, it will be years before airlines end this requirement, if they ever do.
Total over-reaction by the airline. Most countries, including many with far better control than the USA, do not enforce masks-wearing for children…for obvious reasons of compliance, and based on low transmissibility. There needs to be some discretion in the enforcement , to allow for circumstances like these.
“Non-compliant passenger”, indeed !
Look, I HATE HATE HATE wearing masks. They really don’t help anything and everyone looks so ridiculous. Just look at the situation in China… and the Chinese were wearing masks BEFORE COVID-19, just to protect themselves from all the pollution. The so-called experts don’t have a clue about anything. They give us conflicting information. Okay, so now you know I HATE wearing the mask! That said, if you know your child will NOT keep on a mask and you want to travel, KEEP HIM OFF THE AIRPLANE! That’s all I have to say.
Don’t want to be heartless, but perhaps Darwinism should be sped up for cases like this. The discussion will be over before we even tried to argue!
Masks protect everybody from spreading, not from getting infected. We won’t know if the child is an asymptomatic carrier, so it’s better to err on the side of caution. If the parents cannot afford manners, they should not be able to afford flying.
Children are not special, even ones under 2.
Special in what context?
Like all adults on SWA flights can wear the mask appropriately for the majority, if not the entire, flight. Some of them wear their masks like toddlers (often unable to keep it over their nose and even mouth). One adult passenger actual boarded the flight with a netted/mesh “mask”! They will try to wear it appropriately when flight attendants check on them, but once the coast is clear and airplane is airborned, they don’t care much about the mandatory even with my prompts.
So what about the exception for eating and drinking. I flew Southwest recently and people held drinks in their hand the whole flight so that they could keep the mask off. The flight attendants said nothing to those passengers!
This is absolutely wrong! I wear my mask everywhere I go out of respect for store owners and people who are terrified over this virus. For goodness sakes the child was three and autistic. What is wrong with people. I will never fly with this airline again. I would rather walk then give my business to them. I probably would have been taken off this plane in handcuffs if this happened to me. What is wrong with you people. I’d personally like to know who the pilot was. I’m so sorry you and your beautiful babies had to go through this.