Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; No Specific Anomaly Occurred Unwanted Situation
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
As a pilot; I am not required to wear a mask in the flight deck; because of the potential safety consideration of not being able to don my oxygen mask quickly enough and degradation of communication. But yet I have to watch the flight attendants wear a mask continuously throughout our duty day. I have had many flight attendants complain of fatigue and headaches due to wearing the mask. I fear this could cause a safety issue- degradation of communication with passengers; unable to communicate effectively in the case of an emergency; slower reaction time in an emergency.I would also argue that ground personnel should not be wearing masks. As I conduct my walk around the aircraft; the noise of the APU and airport in general prevent normal conversation. Yelling and hand signals have to be used. Many; many times I have been unable to understand what is being yelled at me; and have to move within 6 feet of the other person to understand what is being said. Ground personnel are also throwing heavy bags constantly; in all weather. The WHO does not recommend wearing masks during heavy exertion; and a wet mask is a worthless mask.The front-line workers of the airlines were forced to wear a mask based on the potential that the mask would prevent transmission of a virus. I argue that not enough research and consideration was made into the potential harms of wearing masks in and around aircraft. OSHA recommends mask fit tests; education; breaks from masking; and studies into the effects of mask wearing in workplaces. I do not believe cost benefit analysis were conducted.We should not be masking children younger than 5 years old. This is a recommendation by the World Health Organization.I would like to see a survey or study done on the effects of mask wearing on employees in the aviation industry. I understand a study was conducted on mannequins in regards to viral transmission on aircraft; but this is inadequate.
Air carrier First Officer reported safety and health concerns with personnel having to wear face masks.