A frustrated mother shared how she and her family were removed from a flight because her 3-year-old son with autism didn’t want to wear a face mask.
Alyssa Sadler, who was traveling with her two children, said they were removed from a Southwest Airlines flight as her 3-year-old son wouldn’t wear a mask.
Ms. Sadler said that her son has a sensory processing disorder and doesn’t like his face to be touched by anything.
When a flight attendant noticed that her son wouldn’t put a face mask on, the flight was returned to the gate even though the mother explained about his disorder.
“When you get kicked off your flight because your 3-year-old autistic child won’t wear a mask,” Ms. Sadler wrote on Facebook.
“Looks like I’m stuck here in midland.”
The mother also shared how the captain announced the reason for the return over the loudspeaker, informing everyone on board about a noncompliant passenger who refused to wear a face mask.
In an interview with KRPC, Ms. Sanders said: “He was screaming. He was throwing a fit. He was screaming ‘no, no, no’.”
She continued: “They’re going over the security safety features and all that, and the flight attendant walks by and tells me that he has to put a mask on.”
“So, I try to put the mask on him. He is three and has autism and sensory processing disorders, so he wouldn’t keep the mask on.”
Southwest and American Airlines and other US airlines are tightening face mask rules by removing exceptions for medical reasons, and only children under the age of two are exempted.
“We communicate this policy to all customers at multiple touchpoints throughout the travel journey, so we regret any inconvenience this family experienced,” Southwest Airlines said.
“If a customer is unable to wear a face covering for any reason, Southwest regrets that we are unable to transport the individual.”
One internet user commented: “Children are especially vulnerable to covid. Tough but fair decision. People on the flights could have spread the virus to various states.”
Another wrote: “Sorry for her situation but cannot allow the child to travel without the mask on. Screaming and expelling air will spread the virus faster if he had it too.”
A third added: “The rules are the rules. If he is unable to wear the mask he should not be flying. Wearing a mask to protect others and yourself is not a brand new idea. Mother knew she couldn’t get a mask on him and should have stayed home with him in the first place. Doctors notes don’t excuse everything.”
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Replaced!