Flight attendants are still working during coronavirus lockdowns and they worry that they're spreading the virus

Mary MeisenzahlApr 6, 2020, 00:09 IST

REUTERS/Ricardo MoraesFlight attendants.

Some flight attendants are worried that they may be spreading coronavirus because of travel and lack of personal protective equipment.
Flight attendants around the world are mostly exempt from lockdown order, because they're considered essential employees.
The coronavirus has infected more than a million people around the world.
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Along with doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other essential workers, flight attendants are on the frontlines facing COVID-19, the coronavirus disease. Several flight attendants told Time that they fear they're spreading COVID-19 with every flight they take and passenger they interact with as they lack PPE.

The coronavirus has infected more than one million around the world. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared it a pandemic. The virus has disrupted travel worldwide, leading to flight cancellations, quarantines, and other breakdowns in movement and supply chains. Airlines have been hit especially hard, and several have already collapsed.

Despite these conditions, some airlines are still flying, and flight attendants are afraid. Here's what they had to say.

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One flight attendant said "They are doing nothing but giving us wipes. We're like bees scattering pollen everywhere."

Source: Time

Flight attendants say they can only get out of work with a doctor's note or positive COVID-19 test result, and some say they've even had to fly while awaiting test results.

Source: Time

They describe feeling worry and guilt while assisting elderly passengers, because they could be exposing them to the virus.

Source: Time

Flight attendants said that previously they could be punished for wearing protective equipment like masks and gloves.

Source: Time

Now, they say that they aren't provided with sufficient equipment like masks and cleaning products to keep them safe.

Source: Time

Some are sharing tips for cleaning cabins with homemade products beyond what is mandated by the airline.

Source: Time

Flight attendants fear that they are constantly at risk, sitting next to each other on flights and using the same bathrooms as passengers.

Source: Time

When medical emergencies happen, flight attendants are expected to act as emergency personnel — without PPE.

Source: Time

One flight attendant told Time that she cries every time she goes to the airport, fearful that she will catch the virus from one of her coworkers.

Source: Time

Some also said that they are staying in apartments with other flight crews so they don't infect their families.

Source: Time

They worry about being stuck quarantined away from their home cities if they test positive or are exposed to the coronavirus while on a trip.

Source: Time

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Flight attendants are still working during coronavirus lockdowns and they worry that they're spreading the virus

One flight attendant said "They are doing nothing but giving us wipes. We're like bees scattering pollen everywhere."

Flight attendants say they can only get out of work with a doctor's note or positive COVID-19 test result, and some say they've even had to fly while awaiting test results.

They describe feeling worry and guilt while assisting elderly passengers, because they could be exposing them to the virus.

Flight attendants said that previously they could be punished for wearing protective equipment like masks and gloves.

Now, they say that they aren't provided with sufficient equipment like masks and cleaning products to keep them safe.

Some are sharing tips for cleaning cabins with homemade products beyond what is mandated by the airline.

Flight attendants fear that they are constantly at risk, sitting next to each other on flights and using the same bathrooms as passengers.

When medical emergencies happen, flight attendants are expected to act as emergency personnel — without PPE.

One flight attendant told Time that she cries every time she goes to the airport, fearful that she will catch the virus from one of her coworkers.

Some also said that they are staying in apartments with other flight crews so they don't infect their families.

They worry about being stuck quarantined away from their home cities if they test positive or are exposed to the coronavirus while on a trip.