A family was evacuated from a Southwest flight after their 3-year-old son with autism refused to wear a face mask, as required by airline policy.
Alyssa Sadler traveled with her son and 1-year-old daughter from Midland to Houston, Texas. She was visiting her husband who works in Midland, according to media report.
“It was just not a good morning,” Sadler said. “He screamed. He threw a fit. He screamed no, no, no,” Sadler said KPRC in Houston.
The plane had just left the gate when it apparently turned around when it became clear that the young boy would not be wearing a mask. Sadler and her children were then removed.
“If you get off on a flight because your 3-year-old autistic child will not be wearing a mask … it seems like I’m sitting in the middle here,” Sadler added. Facebook. “I literally get disgusted with how my son was treated and how I was treated.”
Sadler’s son does not like that his face has been touched, and she has a medical note explaining the condition.
Southwest’s mask policy applies to passengers 2 and older, and the face covering must be worn for the duration of the flight. The airline says there are no exceptions to this policy.
“From what we have concluded, there should be no exceptions, because the exception may be someone who has the virus,” CEO of Southwest Gary Kelly told CNN.
Sadler has no problem with masks, but believes that there should be exceptions in certain situations.
“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, “he said. she told KPRC.
The FAA has not issued a federal policy on masks on aircraft, and it is up to the individual airline to make and enforce a decision.
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