To think this is unacceptable?

[flaviaritt]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9048759/Family-kicked-United-flight-New-Jersey-toddler-refused-wear-mask.html

This family were forced to leave a flight home because their two year old wouldn’t ‘comply’ with mask-wearing.

She’s 2.

Has the world gone mad? Surely it’s common sense that a young child should not be forced into a mask? Surely it’s a violation of the rights of the child to insist upon this?

Of course it's unacceptable.

But be prepared for the pile-on from the mask enthusiasts using words like "selfish" and "compliant".

I think 2 is far too young to expect compliance regarding wearing a mask. They shouldn’t have been kicked off the flight imo but then they should never have been expected to get their toddler to wear a mask.

That’s ridiculous - children that young should obviously be exempt.

Thought kids under 6 didn't need to wear them? That's terrible.

DS was 2 when the pandemic hit and used to sob his heart out of you tried to put a mask on him. He turned 3 very recently and has started taking an interest in masks now, but given his age I’d never force him to wear one. Second he gets upset about it, it comes off. No way in hell I could have forced him to wear one 6 months ago

I cannot even begin to imagine trying to get a toddler to put on a face covering, or keep it on for any length of time. I couldn't even get my DD's to keep hair clips in at that age FFS.

This is the US though, their rules/policies are different and they expect children 2 and up to wear a face covering. This does seem well over the top.

Yes this is crazy. You cant make a toddler wear anything they don't want to and they are too young to bribe or understand

The rules are there. For a reason. They should have practiced before if the flight was essential. They knew that she would be expected to wear a mask.

Nothing surprises me with American airlines. They really don't give a fuck

Yanbu
But it's United airlines ( always some sort of controversy with them) and the United States, which is a law onto itself. Very strange place indeed.

I lost sympathy when I read they were flying to go for dinner with family and friends. The US is in even more of a mess than we are, so taking a non essential trip like this is ridiculous.

Off the point, but I must say the US's infection rates aren't surprising if families view it as routine to hop on a plane to have dinner with family and friends.

Did a bit of research, the mother is a Trump supporting, covid denying Instagram 'star'. It would be interesting to know what happened before the video, as this comes across as a publicity stunt.

While agree you can’t force a toddler to wear a mask it is pretty stupid to travel on a plane just to meet friends, especially with someone who is very unlikely to wear a mask.

Being unable to travel on a commercial airline is not a violation of any right - any more than it's a violation of my rights that they won't let me on unless I pay a fare.

I agree they shouldn’t be travelling by air unnecessarily, but the airline has no idea why they’re travelling so that’s not a lot to do with this. Most people seem to agree that it’s wrong to force a 2 year old into a mask. Good, I thought so.

You do have to wonder why whoever was doing the filming wasn't helping.

Obviously it's insane to expect a two year old to wear a mask, however airlines set their own regulations and you'd think it would be wise to cehck waht those policies are before booking - it's not the first case.

Airlines do set their own policies. The point is that this policy is insane.

The mask wearing policy is clear, over 2s need to wear a mask, I believe Disney World has the same policy for over 2s. If it were not possible to comply then they shouldn’t have bought tickets, it was a trip they should have decided against anyway.

It’s the airline’s policy. It’s for them to set out and it’s due the family to decide if it suits to use the airline.

Surely they knew the new rules when they booked the tickets?

I have a two year old. She might wear a mask actually but I couldn’t guarantee it. Therefore I would not put her in a position where she might need to wear a mask. The article states that masks are the policy of the airline and CDC. They shouldn’t have booked the flight in the first place. They should have driven, booked a flight with another airline or not travelled.

I know it’s their policy. And yet, a policy expecting a 2 year old to wear a mask is inhumane and - I would argue - is a violence to the child.

I think 2 is too young so I wouldn't book with somewhere that said is was necessary. They did. I think that's the issue here.

They didn't have to fly with an airline company that has unreasonable requests. As the requests are legal their only option is to not use the service / encourage others not to.

And I'm always amazed by people's presence of mind on these situations to take a picture of their crying child, their tear stained face, etc rather than putting down the phone and dealing with the issue

@flaviaritt

Airlines do set their own policies. The point is that this policy is insane.

Then you don't use them, not use them and assume your exempt because you disagree