Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 104; Flight Crew Total 5752; Flight Crew Type 5752
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Aircraft
We are supposed to run our [specific equipment] to reduce COVID exposure; yet I was flight planned with [specific equipment] inoperative. When I queried the Dispatcher why it was dispatched that way; his response was 'I don't know.'  I refused the aircraft.After refusing the airplane the Dispatcher stated [I] was to speak to Flight Operations. The Dispatcher also had me talk to Maintenance to confirm I 'understood the nature of the MEL.' This sounds a lot like pilot pushing to me.
Air Carrier Captain refused the aircraft due to a specific equipment MELed inoperative; which is reportedly used to reduce COVID exposure.