Troubleshooting; Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Company Policy
There are several concerns regarding the long term wearing of face coverings on an airplane. There is a reduced oxygen environment while in-flight. It is difficult to breathe normally with more layers and there are many studies that I am concerned that our company and the CDC do not take into account. The time of useful consciousness at 41;000 feet does not allow enough time for customers to get on supplemental oxygen and take off their face coverings at the same time. Time of useful consciousness is roughly 9-12 seconds. If a face shield is worn in addition to a face covering it takes even longer for non-trained customers to don O2 masks. In addition; the face covering takes away senses of smell to properly detect issues on board the airplane in the event of a biological mishap or a potential fire. Security concerns remain regarding covering a passenger's face along with flight attendants for cockpit entry and exit procedures to properly verify identities. Wearing a mask during critical phases of flight continue to be concerns when it comes to quickly communicating.
Flight Attendant reported concerns regarding face mask policy and how passengers would react in the event of a rapid depressurization.