Flight Attendant Current
Flight Attendant Airline Total 3
Troubleshooting; Confusion; Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors; Weather
When arriving at new aircraft; the ground power was connected. The temperature in the back of the plane was stifling - it had to be 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the plane. I told my forward Flight Attendant (FA) and we reported to Captain. Passengers were allowed to board and they immediately began taking off as many clothing layers as possible. FAA and company regulations still require everyone to wear masks; despite CDC warnings that masks should be removed when overheated. As the AFT FA; I am responsible for making announcements in a mask; which is laborious and requires many more breathing pauses than usual. Saying the announcements with a mask; in ridiculous heat is more; exhausting; distracting; and physically concerning. My only focus was being able to breathe and the health of my passengers. I walked to the front of aircraft to get some air; but also to get water for the poor passengers. Thankfully; the plane did cool off in the air; but it was still extremely uncomfortable.Extreme heat conditions on the airplane combined with mandatory mask compliance for passengers and crew caused this event.  Crews can be terminated/lose benefits if removing masks on board the aircraft in front of passengers. Until recently; FA's were not required to wear masks while making announcements. Passengers can be fined/lose flight privileges for removing masks. The threat of the FAA fines and penalties under the new federal mask mandate appears to supersede common sense safety practices and concern and care for crews and passengers.Masks; may help prevent viral spread (there is much data to refute those claims); but prevents the passengers and crew to breathe much needed fresh oxygen. The effects of not getting enough oxygen and the potential for hypoxia were ingrained into me during FA training. I am greatly concerned that airlines and the FAA are continuing to put the safety of passengers and crew at risk with mandatory mandates that restrict fresh oxygen; which can cloud judgement and critical thinking abilities. Heat exhaustion and the need for fresh oxygen when wearing masks was acknowledged by the CDC. Of course; the CDC recommended spacing of self 6 feet away; but plane passengers and crew do not have the luxury of a 6 foot distance. Mandatory mask mandates on planes should also come with the ability to tell passengers and crew to remove masks when feeling anxious or stressed or when breathing is compromised. If one feels sick or faint because of heat and a mask; the ability to lower a mask on a plane should be allowed. FAs should be empowered to use their common sense when enforcing masks in extreme heat conditions. The 'appearance of safety' seems to be aviation's new standard of practice rather than 'actual safety' of anyone on board an aircraft. This is a very serious shift in thought for the FAA and airlines.  The unintended consequences of these 'appearance of safety' standards are frightening.
Flight Attendant reported concern for passenger health regarding the face mask policy when the aircraft is on the ground with little or no air circulation and the cabin is hot.