American Airlines said Monday it was investigating after a photo of Senator Ted Cruz flying unmasked on one of his regional airlines was tweeted. A Cruz spokesman said he wears a mask while traveling and that he took it off for drinking and put it back on later.
American Airlines’ policy is that customers wear masks unless they are eating or drinking. The airline said it had contacted Cruz to “affirm the importance of this policy as part of our commitment to protect the health and safety of the traveling public.”
There is no mask visible in the photo, but Cruz is holding a drink.
Cruz’s photo was shared by Hosseh Enad, who works with the Democratic Congress Campaign Committee, who said he had received it from an acquaintance.
Although Cruz quarantined early in the coronavirus pandemic After coming into contact with a person who tested positive for CPAC, he has become a vocal skeptic of blocking policies. He visited a Dallas salon for a haircut the day it was opened after the owner was arrested for violating lockout policies.
“Beauty salons and hair salons are open today in Texas. I had my hair cut for the first time in 3 months in the ALa Mode Salon to support Shelley Luther, who was wrongfully imprisoned when she refused to apologize for trying to make a living.” Cruz tweeted. next to a photo of him cutting his hair, wearing a mask. “I’m glad Shelley is out of jail and her business is open!”
Alan He and Kris Van Cleave contributed to this report.
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