A Texas mother who tried to return with her two young children said they were boarding a flight from Southwest Airlines because her 3-year-old son who has autism would not wear a face mask.
Alyssa Sadler, of Deer Park, told NBC branch KPRC that she was visiting her husband in Midland and planned to fly home with her son and 1-year-old daughter on Monday.
Sadler told the outlet that her son has a sensory disorder and does not like that his face has been touched so he would not wear his mask. For people on the autism spectrum with sun-sensitive people, wearing a mask may not be possible, according to the law firm Autism Speaks.
He shouted. He throws a fit. He shouted no, no, no, “she said.
In July, Southwest announced that all travelers are required to wear a face mask or mask in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“There will be no exemptions for our face coverage requirement, except for children under the age of two,” a press release states. “If for any reason a customer is unable to wear face mask or mask, Southwest regrets that we will not be able to transport the individual.”
Sadler could not be reached directly by NBC News on Thursday. She told KPRC that her son was not wearing a mask during the flight to Midland and that it was not a problem. Sadler, who was wearing a mask, said she also had a letter from his doctor explaining his condition, but it did not matter to staff on the return trip.
She said the plane had already left the gate when a crew member said it would have to return and the family would be evacuated.
“I think there should be something for children or even adults with a disability who cannot wear a mask. They should have some kind of exemption, ”she told KPRC.
Southwest Airlines did not immediately return a request for comment.
In an interview on Wednesday with CNN, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said he sympathized with the family, but reiterated that the airline makes no exceptions to its mask policy.
“From what we have concluded, there should be no exceptions, because the exception may be someone who has the virus,” he said. “I’m very empathetic. I’m a grandpa. I have small grandchildren and I know how to have children, but it’s just a matter of making sure it’s a safe environment for everyone, including all those families.”
Sadler told KPRC that a family member offered to drive her and her children home.
