Fly Well. New QF Covid procedures

[drron]

The positives and positive-asymptomatics are the million dollar question aren't they? drron I'm interested in your medical view of whether and how QF and other airlines should screen pax at the airport. Should they use temperature screening and deny boarding to the febrile as one measure?

Basically I would be happier if everyone wore masks.Fever can be due to many illnesses and sometimes can be normal as some fall out of the normal range and can have a temp a bit higher or lower than 37C.Then things such as stress,heavy exercise-eg running when unfit as you are late to check in.And would you deny boarding for a menopausal woman who can have a fever.Though if the fever was due to someone having a hit of ice or cocaine I wouldn't mind them being denied boarding.
There are many more infections than Covid.Some positive for Covid don't develop a fever.Other illnesses such as an autoimmune disorder,cancer or thyrotoxicosis can be a cause of fever.

At the height of Covid pandemic it possibly was reasonable to check temps but now it is of doubtful use.

 

[p--and--t]

then things such as stress,heavy exercise-eg running when unfit as you are late to check in.

This might not be such a problem in the new (interim?) paradigm with some airlines saying no hand luggage permitted and must arrive at airport 4 hours prior to departure.

 

[Berlin]

This becomes more and more of a “Let’s randomly introduce silly rules to assure the public without any evidence” thing like the utterly silly “Switch off your mobile phone on airplanes or at petrol stations” or the weirdly differing airport security rules that seem to be totally inconsistent from place to place.

Just to be clear- I am not advocating for not taking this pandemic seriously, quite to the contrary. But introducing random “rules” that are not based on any (or limited or contradictory) evidence to calm people down (or conveniently safe airlines money) is not helpful.

To be quite honest (and I’m not an epidemiologist but I did do a Major in Statistics so I’d like to think that it’s an at least halfway educated guess): I fear that this thing will raise its ugly head even down here quicker than we can say Covid-19 and then it’s back to Level 4 lockdown as we called it here in NZ. And I damn sure hope that I am incorrect!

 

[Mrsfefe]

This becomes more and more of a “Let’s randomly introduce silly rules to assure the public without any evidence” thing like the utterly silly “Switch off your mobile phone on airplanes or at petrol stations” or the weirdly differing airport security rules that seem to be totally inconsistent from place to place.

Just to be clear- I am not advocating for not taking this pandemic seriously, quite to the contrary. But introducing random “rules” that are not based on any (or limited or contradictory) evidence to calm people down (or conveniently safe airlines money) is not helpful.

To be quite honest (and I’m not an epidemiologist but I did do a Major in Statistics so I’d like to think that it’s an at least halfway educated guess): I fear that this thing will raise its ugly head even down here quicker than we can say Covid-19 and then it’s back to Level 4 lockdown as we called it here in NZ. And I damn sure hope that I am incorrect!

Totally agree re the inconsistencies. Qantas says “ wear a mask if you like”, Qatar and others have their cabin crew in hazmat suits with full PPE. Someone has it wrong, only time will tell who. It’s anyone’s guess really.

 

[Franky]

Totally agree re the inconsistencies. Qantas says “ wear a mask if you like”, Qatar and others have their cabin crew in hazmat suits with full PPE. Someone has it wrong, only time will tell who. It’s anyone’s guess really.

You’re right, a certain PM said some time back there there was no manual on this. Most people’s comments are just guesses.

 

[Himeno]

What is the rational for banning carry on?

 

[dylarr]

What is the rational for banning carry on?

Where is this mentioned?

 

[Princess Fiona]

What is the rational for banning carry on?

Where is this mentioned?

EK banning carry on. No idea but I presume that it means that there is less contact between passengers belongings and passengers if not accessing overhead lockers with big carry on inflight. Reduces risk of transmission via fomites and person to person close contact.

 

[p--and--t]

Where is this mentioned?

THe EU has issued guidelines to restrict or ban hand luggage (here) and some airlines airlines have already banned "hand luggage" in their detailed proposed covid procedures but allow "laptop" or purse.

EK announcement :

Emirates To Ban Most Cabin Baggage To Curb Coronavirus Spread

simpleflying.com

EK Video

The reasons why not quoted, but if you look at a typical plane load and people standing / blocking aisles others pushing past touching lots of surfaces etc.

No overhead luggage, no touching of hatches, no cross contamination of bags, less cleaning/sanitation between flights, no blocking aisles, strict loading back to front in small groups allows better social distancing (even if not ideal), significant reduction of touch-points, faster embarkation and disembarkation.

IATA has release a 24 page list of instructions for airlines - including reserving all J and F seating areas for crew only ( here )

No cabin baggage, Covid-19 questionnaire — requirements for air travel post lockdown

Green status on Aarogya Setu app, web check-in, and temperature checks have also been proposed in the civil aviation ministry's draft Standard Operating Procedure.

theprint.in

 

[Princess Fiona]

IATA has release a 24 page list of instructions for airlines - including reserving all J and F seating areas for crew only ( here )

That document also states that crew should not use the lavatories and wear disposable diapers

Can’t see that happening

 

[jakeseven7]

IATA has release a 24 page list of instructions for airlines - including reserving all J and F seating areas for crew only ( here )

No cabin baggage, Covid-19 questionnaire — requirements for air travel post lockdown

Green status on Aarogya Setu app, web check-in, and temperature checks have also been proposed in the civil aviation ministry's draft Standard Operating Procedure.

theprint.in

LMAO I can hear the shrieks of hysterical laughter from any international airline from here. Not. Going. To. Happen.

If they adopted this measure I guess I’m flying the Residence everywhere

What a waste of space IATA is at the moment!

 

[Berlin]

What is the rational for banning carry on?

Flying my first flight since the pandemic started yesterday (Domestic AirNZ), I know exactly why: All the distancing goes to the wind when the usual latecomers shove their oversized backpacks down the airplane.

Also odd, in terms of consistency: AirNZ does pretty much everything the opposite of what Qantas has announced: No free masks or sanitizers but free middle seats in Y. Plenty of crumbs and dirt all over the seats. One thing they can all agree on- only water gets served. As if it makes any difference whether the gloved up flight attendant hands you a glass of water or a glass of champagne. Lots of opportunity to sneak in convenient cost saving measures under the guise of “Corona prevention”.

Still- it was good to see the world from above again. And it’s still as beautiful up there as it always was- especially here in ultra pretty Middle Earth.

 

[milehighclub]

LMAO I can hear the shrieks of hysterical laughter from any international airline from here. Not. Going. To. Happen.

Both VA and QF are doing this already. On the 787 the forward J cabin is for crew only, row 10-12 are banned for anyone and passengers cannot go forward of row 20.

IATA has release a 24 page list of instructions for airlines - including reserving all J and F seating areas for crew only ( here )

Interesting that the link is on the IATA website but the document has the Civil Aviation Administration of China on the document.

 

[Happy Trails]

IATA has release a 24 page list of instructions for airlines - including reserving all J and F seating areas for crew only ( here )

That document also states that crew should not use the lavatories and wear disposable diapers

But, on a quick read, those precautions seem specific to flights to/from "Countries/Regions Severely Impacted by the Epidemic", (i.e. those with existing confirmed cases > 5000).

 

[p--and--t]

 

[Archphoto]

Until there's a vaccine I dunno how you can still have a buffet? Multiple people touching a pile of plates, using the same tongs and spoons for cheeses, meats, salads, stews etc. There will be problems in the F lounges with meals in the restaurants... I don't think there's capacity for the 4m2 rule to apply with current demand?

This was a great video to show how an infected person at a buffet can spread an infection like Covid-19:

クルーズ船の接触感染 実験で検証 新型コロナウイルス | NHKニュース

【NHK】クルーズ船で感染拡大を招いたとされる接触感染がどのようにして起きるのか、ＮＨＫが専門家と共同で実験を行ったところ、ウイル…

www3.nhk.or.jp

 

[Princess Fiona]

But, on a quick read, those precautions seem specific to flights to/from "Countries/Regions Severely Impacted by the Epidemic", (i.e. those with existing confirmed cases > 5000).

Fair enough but nappies??
Still can’t see it happening then, no way

 

[Archphoto]

The whole point of wearing a mask on planes,busses etc is not to prevent yourself getting an infection but to prevent an infected person from passing it on to all contacts.As some infected persons, particularly if young, may not have symptoms mask wearing during a pandemic should be encouraged as long as there is an adequate supply of masks.Australia at first did not have enough masks.
If Australians were more like some of our Asian neighbours compulsion would not be needed as most who have symptoms will wear a mask and as soon as a pandemic occurs the rest of the population soon take it up.

My travels for work throughout Asia had the team asking about the propensity of mask-wearing at one time. The response we received was that it was a measure to prevent the "wearer" from infecting others when they had a cold/flu, not vice-versa.

The GM explained that often the wearer also soaked/added Vicks (or a derivative) to the inside of the mask, to help them with their breathing: think stuffy nose with a cold, yet you still head to work because you're not *that* ill . . .

 

[ozflier]

I'm not convinced that face masks make any difference .
I do not that public transport in Australia does not require passengers to wear face masks.

 

[Princess Fiona]

So for those curious about P2/N95 masks a bit of an update.
Yesterday at work I underwent quantitative fit testing with a respiratory hygienist. I had to apply and fit check a mask and then undergo a series of exercises ranging from normal breathing to bending and movement and talking whilst hooked up to a machine measuring the leakage. It took about 20 minutes.
I passed wearing the regulation (extremely uncomfortable) 3M mask in all areas except grimacing (unlikely to do that ).
A study has shown that the mask fit fails when the person is doing CPR.
Fortunately HCW in Australia have been spared that exposure.
I remain a bit skeptical that the general public wearing P2/N95 masks in public / on aircraft is realistic, reliable or protective.