Masks off for Photos??

[AquaDame]

I've flown several times since the pandemic started, and have never been told or seen anyone else eating or drinking be told to do that. You can keep your mask completely off until done eating or drinking, according to airline and CDC rules.

From the CDC website:

While in indoor areas of conveyances or while indoors at transportation hubs, people are not required to wear a mask under the following circumstances:

• while eating, drinking, or taking medication for brief periods of time;

Obviously, you aren't supposed to nurse your beverage throughout the whole flight, but there is nothing at all indicating that you should just lower your mask to stick the food in or sip from your drink, then chew & swallow with it back on. That level of hypervigilance is not required at all.

We flew last month on Delta and during their speech before take off they told us to do exactly this - only have the mask off while you take a bite and put it on between bites. All four legs of our flights. Alaska in October said you could have it off while eating or drinking but must put them back on as soon as you were done. My MIL said Southwest told her the same as Delta and, she claims, were very mean about it.

 

[Cheburashka]

We flew last month on Delta and during their speech before take off they told us to do exactly this - only have the mask off while you take a bite and put it on between bites. All four legs of our flights. Alaska in October said you could have it off while eating or drinking but must put them back on as soon as you were done. My MIL said Southwest told her the same as Delta and, she claims, were very mean about it.

That's an individual airline or flight crew thing, then, not a CDC rule, as indicated above. On the several flights I've taken in the past 2 years, people have eaten and drank extensively with masks off with no issue.

I suspect this is mostly about where your flight crew originates from. If they're from blue states with strict masking rules, they're likely more restrictive than flight crews originating from more laid-back red states. I'm a Texan and masks are rarely required in public here (basically doctor's offices, and a few school districts who are still defying the governor's order), and no one would dream of ordering people to eat & drink with their masks still on. Airports have a very laid back feel, and it's hard to imagine a local flight crew suddenly going uber mask rigid on passengers once the flight takes off.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

They tell you to chew and put it back on but no one enforced it

 

[Cheburashka]

They tell you to chew and put it back on but no one enforced it

Which airline?

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Which airline?

united

 

[AquaDame]

If they're from blue states with strict masking rules, they're likely more restrictive than flight crews originating from more laid-back red states.

Two of the four last month originated in Georgia. My MIL flew into a red state from blue (I cant honestly remember which) but it was the same both ways. Airline policy is airline policy no matter the state, though I don't think anyone is denying some will choose to try to defy it and staff may choose not to enforce it.

 

[Dznypal]

We flew SW Last may with no big deal about how to eat or drink. I’ll just leave it at that

 

[Cheburashka]

Two of the four last month originated in Georgia. My MIL flew into a red state from blue (I cant honestly remember which) but it was the same both ways. Airline policy is airline policy no matter the state, though I don't think anyone is denying some will choose to try to defy it and staff may choose not to enforce it.

I've flown several times and never had anyone state that as a rule at all. I won't believe it's airline policy until I see it in writing. It is definitely not CDC policy.

 

[AquaDame]

I've flown several times and never had anyone state that as a rule at all. I won't believe it's airline policy until I see it in writing. It is definitely not CDC policy.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-planning-center/know-before-you-go/face-masks
"Masks must be worn at all times except while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted for eating or drinking – masks must be worn between bites and sips. "

Can we get back on track now please..? Thanks.

 

[JWelch62]

CDC is expected to ease mask guidelines tomorrow.

 

[Cheburashka]

https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-planning-center/know-before-you-go/face-masks
"Masks must be worn at all times except while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted for eating or drinking – masks must be worn between bites and sips. "

Can we get back on track now please..? Thanks.

Right. And nothing about having to eat & drink with the mask on. Like I said. Let's move on.

 

[Kwami]

Right. And nothing about having to eat & drink with the mask on. Like I said. Let's move on.

Wait, what? Nobody said that you had to eat with the mask on. Just that you had to put it back on between bites, which is exactly what Delta's website says. How would you even eat with a mask on?

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Should be interesting with the CDC coming out today(?) with new mask guidelines.

 

[RedHead0186]

Should be interesting with the CDC coming out today(?) with new mask guidelines.

True. But the mask mandate for airlines is a federal mandate, and not necessarily subject to guidance (the mandate could changed based on CDC guidance, but it doesn't happen automatically). I think the federal transportation mandate currently goes through March 16, IIRC.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

True. But the mask mandate for airlines is a federal mandate, and not necessarily subject to guidance (the mandate could changed based on CDC guidance, but it doesn't happen automatically). I think the federal transportation mandate currently goes through March 16, IIRC.

You are correct, but the OP's question was about masks off for photos while on the ship and not on a plane.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

My cruise leaves tomorrow I’m huge picture person I’ll report back!

 

[Kariyaffa]

My cruise leaves tomorrow I’m huge picture person I’ll report back!

Thanks! And have a great time.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

My cruise leaves tomorrow I’m huge picture person I’ll report back!

Bon Voyage. Enjoy your cruise. Report back your findings.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

 

[Cruising Engineer]

@CampbellzSoup Someone is ready to set sail. How adorable!