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Home » Travel » “Monkeypox” Passenger Removed From Spirit Airlines Flight Really Just Had Eczema
Travel

“Monkeypox” Passenger Removed From Spirit Airlines Flight Really Just Had Eczema

Matthew Klint Posted onAugust 10, 2022November 13, 2023 19 Comments

a hand holding a model airplane

Here’s a problem we’ll likely see quite a bit more of in the days ahead as monkeypox continues to spread at an alarming rate. A woman was temporarily removed from a Spirit Airlines flight after being accused of having monkeypox when she only had eczema.

Passenger With Eczema Accused Of Having “Monkeypox” And Kicked Off Spirit Airlines Flight

A woman shared her story on TikTok, which I can only imagine was absolutely humiliating.

“They had me get off the plane in front of everyone along with my wife to interrogate me about the eczema I’ve had my whole life.”

When she produced a tube of eczema cream and the staff looked up the differences between monkeypox and eczema, she was allowed to re-board the flight.

@jacqueline.ngu misinformation leads to discrimnation/hostility. everyone with a visible non-contagious skin condition has been anticipating this #monkeypox#eczema ♬ i’m Peppa Pig – funny

@jacqueline.ngu #duet with @jacqueline.ngu i’m very lucky i happened to bring my eczema cream that day, but we shouldn’t have to tote around evidence #monkeypox#eczema ♬ i’m Peppa Pig – funny

Eczema, also known as dermatitis and monkeypox both can produce rashes. However, monkeypox rashes tend to look more like chickenpox. Dr Rosamund Lewis of the World Health Organization explained:

“It starts with what we call macules. These are just red areas. Then it progresses to papules. This is something you can feel. It’s raised. Those red lumps and bumps then start to blister, and fill with a whitish fluid that looks like pus. These pustules then begin to dry out and scab over. Eventually, the scabs will heal and drop off.”

Eczema produces dry, itchy and inflamed skin, but generally not the sort of pox (a rash of pimples that become pus-filled) that we see with monkeypox.

Perhaps more troubling is that the woman alleges one of the Spirit flight attendant saw her and quickly turned around and walked away, all while avoiding looking at her, “As if eye contact could spread it.” Eczema is not contagious and monkeypox cannot be transferred via eye contact…a little empathy goes a long way.

CONCLUSION

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you “seek medical care immediately if you develop a new, unexplained skin rash or lesions on any part of the body.” Do keep an eye out for new skin abnormalities. But let’s hope that we won’t start accusing everyone with a rash of having monkeypox. Having eczema is already bad enough…

(H/T: C Boarding Group)

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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19 Comments

  1. Mr. Marcus Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    Geez… here’s a clue: if being around someone with a rash or a cough is going to cause you to totally lose your cool, don’t go to the airport, even if you work there, don’t go. Just stop going.

    The airport is going to be full of people. Some will have rashes, some will have coughs, some will have red-eyes, or be in wheelchairs, or on oxygen, or in diapers. Some are going to say things like “I feel horrible today”.

    This is what it is. It’s not your living room with a few other folks invited, it’s an ER waiting room. Be prepared. Keep your cool.

    What’s up with the Peppa Pig music on the video?

    • Maryland Reply
      August 10, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      Sadly I’m with you. I am immune compromised. I’ve had to adjust my exposure risks for years. (pre covid) And that’s included all sorts of travel. and I recognize this as my problem. But I’d like to speak out against healthy individuals freaking out on an uncaring manner. Understand we we all are likely suffer health threats at some point. Be grateful and experience life when you’re able!

  2. Matthew Klint Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    RE: Peppa Pig music

    Yeah, that was annoying.

  3. Mike R Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 1:21 pm

    Eczema, as a chronic condition, would be covered by ADA. Even allowed to fly, she’d have a discrimination claim for her treatment on board.

  4. Tony N Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    So a lot of people have coughs and Covid; are they going to be kicked off the flight too? Flight attendants are now the police and they are behaving badly.

  5. Koggerj Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 2:31 pm

    This dumb broad is so shook she can make some silly tik toks.

    • Joey Reply
      August 11, 2022 at 6:15 pm

      I always suspected you were an angry old man- unless you’re an anachronistic 20-something, your use of the word “broad” really dates you, my dude.

  6. Grammar Boy Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    You may want to fully set off your appositive with the ending comma, so it doesn’t read as if eczema is known as both dermatitis and monkeypox.

  7. Roland Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    Sue their asses, I say!

  8. Santastico Reply
    August 10, 2022 at 7:36 pm

    It is amazing what brainwashing has done to Americans. Now everything is a reason for snowflakes to melt. Covid histeria and now monkeypox. I have been in Europe for 15 days now with my family on vacation in one of the hottest spots where lots and lots of people visit. I can share that nobody is concerned about any disease. Maybe 1 out of 1000 people is wearing a mask, streets are packed, restaurants are packed and people are partying like there is no tomorrow. Covid? It never happened. Monkeypox? LOL!! Europeans know how to live.

    • Billy Bob Reply
      August 10, 2022 at 9:42 pm

      Move there then

      • Santastico Reply
        August 11, 2022 at 1:51 am

        @FYI I have the luxury to chose where to live at anytime so leave that decision with me. Enjoy your basement since that is the only place you can be.

        • Billy Bob Reply
          August 11, 2022 at 10:12 am

          I’m just saying, if Americans wearing masks offends your sensibilities then go live in Europe where the popular countries *checks notes* locked down much more strictly than anywhere in the US at anytime during covid. Based on your politics maybe Poland would be a good fit for you.

          • Santastico
            August 11, 2022 at 11:33 am

            It doesn’t offend me. I just laugh and feel bad for them.

          • Billy Bob
            August 11, 2022 at 12:13 pm

            Europeans also smoke in much higher numbers than Americans. Is that a plus for Europe too? That they don’t care about protecting their lungs like snowflake Americans?

  9. Al Reply
    August 11, 2022 at 3:35 am

    “Here’s a problem we’ll likely see quite a bit more of in the days ahead…”
    lol. Thanks to blogs and assorted media all jumping on the latest popular “MONKEYPOX!!!!” click bait to try and feed the latest hysteric paranoia cycle just like they used and hyped the overblown “COVID WILL KILL US ALL!!!” ad nauseum. If it bleeds it leads. Amirite?
    Don’t be modest.

  10. Lost Luggage Reply
    August 11, 2022 at 6:41 am

    At least they didn’t throw her off the plane like Dr. Dao!!
    Spirit will claim it acted with an “abundance of caution” and offer a $50 flight coupon that expires in 30 days.

    Bon Voyagé!!

  11. James Harper Reply
    August 11, 2022 at 10:35 am

    Isn’t it marvellous that power tripping FAs are now experts in diagnosing skin conditions. Where would we be without such ignorant people? A little knowledge is such a dangerous thing.

    • LCat Reply
      August 18, 2022 at 8:16 pm

      @James Harper you are absolutely correct. You need to get a little more educated before you start throwing out ridiculous comments young man.

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