Virus Alerts from Airline Travel

[conehead]

19 hours ago, AIP said:

 

Also makes me wonder what the purpose of everybody wearing a mask is for ???

So that the other 56 people on board can now test “negative”.

[Guest]

14 hours ago, FA@AC said:

It's to prevent transmission of Covid-19.

Exactly: If I wear a mask I am protecting you, if you wear a mask you are protecting me.  So if we both wear masks..........    .................

[AIP]

Fair enough, it retrospect, I did not translate the thought to keyboard very well.

The point I was trying to make, is,  if health authorities thought the airlines can communicate directly with the affected passengers, (and they can) why does this need to be splashed in the media ??

And isn't it somewhat irresponsible of the media to do so ???

 

[J.O.]

Airlines aren’t responsible for public health once the passenger steps off the aircraft. The authorities have a responsibility to conduct contact tracing and advise those who may have been exposed. When a manifest contains the names of booking agents instead of the passengers - and apparently that’s been happening - how else do they alert people in a timely fashion?

[Guest]

1 hour ago, AIP said:

Fair enough, it retrospect, I did not translate the thought to keyboard very well.

The point I was trying to make, is,  if health authorities thought the airlines can communicate directly with the affected passengers, (and they can) why does this need to be splashed in the media ??

And isn't it somewhat irresponsible of the media to do so ???

 

If vs does.   In any case the data available to the airline re the passenger is more limited that what can be achieved by making the flight information public and having the public respond.

eg. final destination, onward transportation, hotel / resort  etc.  etc. etc. in other words everything that is not booked through the airline. 

[Specs]

7 hours ago, J.O. said:

Airlines aren’t responsible for public health once the passenger steps off the aircraft. The authorities have a responsibility to conduct contact tracing and advise those who may have been exposed. When a manifest contains the names of booking agents instead of the passengers - and apparently that’s been happening - how else do they alert people in a timely fashion?

Well then what about buses, subways and trains.  You sit with the same people for an hour sometimes - there's no ventilation and no cleaning and nowadays almost everybody everybody on that bus or train in the Toronto area has a presto card so they can be easily contacted if a carrier was known to have travelled a specific route at a specific time identified yet there is zero effort to do so even though the risk of spread is significantly higher and the number of passengers is higher.

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, Specs said:

Well then what about buses, subways and trains.  You sit with the same people for an hour sometimes - there's no ventilation and no cleaning and nowadays almost everybody everybody on that bus or train in the Toronto area has a presto card so they can be easily contacted if a carrier was known to have travelled a specific route at a specific time identified yet there is zero effort to do so even though the risk of spread is significantly higher and the number of passengers is higher.

Buses, subways ...... point to point mostly inside a city, Airlines...... not so much

[Fido]

9 hours ago, AIP said:

And isn't it somewhat irresponsible of the media to do so ???

It is the CBC the very definition of irresponsible.

[Fido]

1 hour ago, Marshall said:

Well then what about buses,

I sit daily and watch the city buses go past with the admonishment that everyone must wear a mask and yet only 1 in 20 bus drivers do.

[J.O.]

14 hours ago, Specs said:

Well then what about buses, subways and trains.  You sit with the same people for an hour sometimes - there's no ventilation and no cleaning and nowadays almost everybody everybody on that bus or train in the Toronto area has a presto card so they can be easily contacted if a carrier was known to have travelled a specific route at a specific time identified yet there is zero effort to do so even though the risk of spread is significantly higher and the number of passengers is higher.

Fair point, but that doesn't mean they should stop the flight notifications, IMHO.

[J.O.]

12 hours ago, Fido said:

I sit daily and watch the city buses go past with the admonishment that everyone must wear a mask and yet only 1 in 20 bus drivers do.

Don't the drivers have a plexiglas barrier now?

[Specs]

3 hours ago, J.O. said:

Fair point, but that doesn't mean they should stop the flight notifications, IMHO.

By singling out flying though you're doing irreparable damage to the industry and the economy.  The stigma of this will affect our business for decades to come now.  

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Specs said:

By singling out flying though you're doing irreparable damage to the industry and the economy.  The stigma of this will affect our business for decades to come now.  

Not sure where you are getting your information from.  The reports I have read (some I posted) identify, grocery stores, meat packers, cruise lines,bars , buses etc.......  

I must admit I have not seen any involving trains, could that be because there have not been any?   

http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/Archived_COVID-19_Exposures.pdf

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/more-than-500-covid-19-infections-in-canada-linked-to-exposures-at-public-places-new-data-suggests-1.5058227

 

[deicer]

Depends on where you look for your news as well.  Local news carries the stories.

https://www.insauga.com/three-employees-at-mississauga-grocery-store-test-positive-for-covid-19

[Airband]

On 8/9/2020 at 12:52 PM, AIP said:

if health authorities thought the airlines can communicate directly with the affected passengers, (and they can) why does this need to be splashed in the media ??

Quote

Public health officials aren't doing enough to reach out to people from different provinces who may have been exposed to COVID-19 on flights, often stopping contact tracing at their own borders, an epidemiologist warns.

"Canada has a system of contact tracing on the ground, but as soon as it's wheels up and they start pushing a little beverage cart around, then that system stops," said Amir Attaran, a professor of both law and epidemiology at the University of Ottawa.

Part of the problem appears to be that each province or territory is responsible for tracking cases within its borders, but flights often span multiple jurisdictions. It appears as though the federal government isn't tracing cross-border cases, instead relying on provinces and territories to notify one another — sometimes indirectly through their websites.

Even then, it can take time for that information to reach passengers who were potentially exposed to the virus, if it ever does.

Gaps in interprovincial contact tracing increase COVID-19 risks while flying

[Fido]

7 hours ago, J.O. said:

Don't the drivers have a plexiglas barrier now?

The 7-11 has a more complete barrier

[J.O.]

49 minutes ago, Fido said:

The 7-11 has a more complete barrier

That’s different than here, they’re virtually sealed in their own plastic box.

[J.O.]

4 hours ago, Specs said:

By singling out flying though you're doing irreparable damage to the industry and the economy.  The stigma of this will affect our business for decades to come now.  

IMHO, the current reluctance to travel goes a lot deeper than the chance of getting infected on a flight. For many people, it’s a financial issue in that they’re reducing discretionary spending just in case things get worse again.

[UpperDeck]

2 hours ago, J.O. said:

IMHO, the current reluctance to travel goes a lot deeper than the chance of getting infected on a flight. For many people, it’s a financial issue in that they’re reducing discretionary spending just in case things get worse again.

JO.....I'm approaching a milestone and had accumulated points with the intention to use my wife's award pass plus those points to travel 1st class ( or Business) around the world. Those plans have been postponed not because of finances but rather because a significant element of the planned trip was enjoying the best that the best airlines in the world could offer.

And now? None of them are " at their best". So we'll hope for brighter skies " tomorrow".

[FA@AC]

56 minutes ago, UpperDeck said:

Those plans have been postponed not because of finances but rather because a significant element of the planned trip was enjoying the best that the best airlines in the world could offer.

And now? None of them are " at their best". So we'll hope for brighter skies " tomorrow".

Depending on your proposed itinerary I expect that border restrictions/quarantine requirements would have interfered anyway.

[J.O.]

2 hours ago, UpperDeck said:

JO.....I'm approaching a milestone and had accumulated points with the intention to use my wife's award pass plus those points to travel 1st class ( or Business) around the world. Those plans have been postponed not because of finances but rather because a significant element of the planned trip was enjoying the best that the best airlines in the world could offer.

And now? None of them are " at their best". So we'll hope for brighter skies " tomorrow".

I look forward to the day when you can enjoy that trip, the sooner the better. 

[Guest]

Potential coronavirus exposure reported on 2 flights from Toronto to Halifax

By Aya Al-Hakim Global News

Posted August 15, 2020 2:58 pm

Nova Scotia Health is advising of potential COVID-19 exposure on flights from Toronto to Halifax on Aug. 8 and 11.

In a statement released on Saturday, NSHA said the potential exposures have been identified on the following flights:

• West Jet flight WS 248 on Aug. 8 from Toronto to Halifax
• Air Canada flight AC 604 on Aug. 11 from Toronto to Halifax

According to NSHA, the West Jet flight departed Toronto at 9 a.m. and arrived in Halifax at 12:04 p.m.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: 2 new cases identified in Nova Scotia related to travel

“Passengers in rows 11 to 15 seats DEF are more likely to have had close contact. Passengers in these seats are asked to call 811 for advice,” said NSHA.

 

The Air Canada Flight departed Toronto at 8 a.m. and landed in Halifax at 11:02 a.m.

According to NSHA, passengers in rows 19 to 23 seats ABC and rows 29 to 33 seats ABCD are more likely to have had close contact.

Public Health said it is also directly contacting anyone else known to be a close contact of the people confirmed to have COVID-19.

It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at the locations on the named dates may develop symptoms up to, and including, 14 days afterward.

“Those present at these locations on the dates identified should self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19,” NSHA said.

COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever (chills, sweats, etc.)
• Cough (new or worsening)
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Hoarse voice
• Diarrhea
• Unusual fatigue
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Red, purple or blueish lesions, on the feet, toes or fingers without a clear cause

© 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

[UpperDeck]

My wife got a call that she had worked a flight with a pax on board who tested positive. The call was more than 14 days after the flight so was a " courtesy call" ; "Glad to hear you weren't infected." (as evidenced by symptoms). Of course, you COULD be asymptomatic but what the hey!

Now if you're notified of an infected pax within the incubation period, you are released with pay and quarantine. If, however, from an abundance of caution, you go and get tested and are positive, you lose your flights and you're " charged" for a book off.

Something seems amiss.

And meanwhile, on EVERY flight, multiples of pax nibble slowly at the contents of a Pringles package and sip their water to prolong their maskless breaks. Or, for the more privileged, sip their wine and eat almonds one at a time.

 

Please explain how I am protected by the mask ( with exceptions) mandate.

[Guest]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/flight-exposure-covid-vancouver-1.5690497?cmp=rss

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has added more flights to its list of possible COVID-19 exposures.

The notices include flights from New Dehli and Mexico City. The Canadian government has also added an Aug. 5 flight from Frankfurt to Vancouver on its website. 

 

All travellers arriving to B.C. from outside of Canada are required to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days upon their arrival.

Passengers on a domestic flight with a confirmed COVID-19 case are asked to self-monitor for 14 days. 

• How safe is flying during the pandemic?

The full list of flights is listed on the BCCDC's website. The most recent additions are listed below:

International flights:

Aug. 5	Lufthansa Flight 492	Frankfurt to Vancouver	Rows 19-25
Aug. 7	Aeromexico Flight 696	Mexico City to Vancouver	Rows 14-20
Aug. 9	Air India Flight 1143	New Delhi to Vancouver	Affected rows not reported

 

Domestic flights:

Aug. 10	WestJet Flight 141	Edmonton to Vancouver	Rows 17-23
Aug. 9	Air Canada Flight 243	Edmonton to Vancouver	Rows 2-4 and 12-15
Aug. 9	WestJet Flight 171	Edmonton to Vancouver	Rows 23-29
Aug. 8	WestJet Flight 123	Vancouver to Calgary	Rows 25-30
Aug. 7	Air Canada Flight 122	Vancouver to Toronto	Affected rows not reported
Aug. 7	WestJet Flight 461	Calgary to Kelowna	Rows 5-11
Aug. 3	Air Canada Flight 224	Vancouver to Calgary	Rows 20-26
Aug. 3	Flair Airlines Flight 8101	Vancouver to Calgary	Rows 20-26
Aug. 3	Swoop Flight 235	Edmonton to Abbotsford	Rows 1-7
Aug. 3	WestJet Flight 720	Vancouver to Toronto	Rows 4-10
Aug. 3	WestJet Flight 714	Vancouver to Toronto	Rows 7-13
Aug. 2	Swoop Flight 202	Abbotsford to Edmonton	Affected rows not reported

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News

[Guest]

I like this article but sadly it will likely not receive and wide coverage / exposure:  https://www.foxnews.com/health/odds-catching-coronavirus-plane-small-study

Odds of catching coronavirus on plane relatively small, study finds

The report is consistent with other research findings, one expert told Fox News

 By Amy McGorry | Fox News

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for August 19

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The odds of catching novel coronavirus on an airplane with infected passengers appear to be relatively small, though still possible, according to a new report.

 

German researchers told of the health outcomes for more than a hundred passengers on a flight in a report recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

The German researchers reported on the health status of 102 passengers who boarded a Boeing 737 flight in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 9, according to the study. The flight, just over 4.5 hours, was going to Frankfurt, Germany, before strict COVID-19 protocols were in place, such as mandating masks for crew and passengers as well as the restriction of congregating in aisles. (Airlines have since instituted those policies in an effort to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.)

INHALED DRUG SHOWS PROMISE IN CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT: STUDY

Several days before taking the flight, seven members of a 24-person tour group on the plane came unknowingly in contact with a hotel manager who tested positive for COVID-19. The group was notified upon landing and tested, according to the study. Seven members of the group were positive for COVID-19 and referred to as index cases in the study. Four were symptomatic, two pre-symptomatic, and one was asymptomatic.

The study’s investigators followed up with 71 of the other 78 passengers aboard and stated in the report that two passengers who were seated within two rows of an infected tour member tested positive, likely due to an onboard transmission of COVID-19.

The team of researchers also noted how the plane’s airflow system may have limited the number of potential COVID-19 cases. (iStock)<br data-cke-eol="1">

“We discovered 2 likely SARS-CoV-2 transmissions on this flight, with 7 index cases," researcher Dr. Sandra Ciesek, of the Institute for Medical Virology at Goethe University in Frankfurt, stated in the report. “These transmissions may have also occurred before or after the flight.”

“The risk of transmission of droplet mediated infections on an aircraft depends on proximity to an index case and on other factors, such as [the] movement of passengers and crew, fomites, and contact among passengers in the departure gate," the researchers explained.

The team of researchers also noted how the plane’s airflow system may have limited the number of potential COVID-19 cases.

 

“The airflow in the cabin from the ceiling to the floor and from the front to the rear may have been associated with a reduced transmission rate. It could be speculated that the rate may have been reduced further had the passengers worn masks," they wrote.

Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of Infectious Diseases of Mount Sinai in New York, told Fox News the report is consistent with other research findings.

“Airplane trips, especially if they are of a longer duration, have the potential to transmit infection from an infected person to the people sitting in their immediate vicinity," he said.

HOMEMADE CORONAVIRUS FACE MASKS SHOULD BE TWO OR THREE LAYERS TO STOP SPREAD OF VIRUS, STUDY FINDS

 

“The good news, however, is that even with no attempts to prevent spread, [the] spread was limited to only those in close proximity. Plus, nowadays with a better understanding of viral transmission, and recognizing the importance of masking and social distancing as possible, the likelihood of transmitting COVID-19 to someone on an airplane is very low," the epidemiologist added.

If one chooses to fly during the pandemic, "I recommend that people mask and social distance as possible in the airport and on the plane. Certainly, someone ill or recently exposed to COVID should not be traveling on a plane," Glatt said.

Glatt, also a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, concluded: “It is our responsibility to make sure that not only are we are safe but everyone else is safe as well. The more people that wear a mask on the plane trip, the better everyone will b