Banning Alcohol on Airplanes, But Not the Unvaccinated
Should the unvaccinated be banned from airports?
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PSYCHIATRIC VIEWS ON THE DAILY NEWS
We have just flown on Spirit Airlines, which continues to allow the drinking of spirits. Southwest and American Airlines, however, both continue to ban alcohol. Much of the reasoning is that alcohol has contributed to increased disruptive behavior of passengers.
On the other hand, unvaccinated passengers are still allowed, which also means that they are in the airport for long periods of time. Worst of all, the shuttle buses to rental cars were jam packed. Even when we went to an outdoor music festival, proof of vaccination was required.
Doesn’t it seem that the unvaccinated should also be banned on airlines and in airports for health and mental health reasons, and that health care professionals should support such a mandate? How else are we now going to end the pandemic without mandates where possible? Or, is this another case of profits taking priority over health, as it does in so many of our health insurance systems?
What do you think? Should the unvaccinated be banned from airports and other large gatherings? Share your thoughts with PTEditor@MMHGroup.com.
Dr Moffic is an award-winning psychiatrist who has specialized in the cultural and ethical aspects of psychiatry. A prolific writer and speaker, he received the one-time designation of Hero of Public Psychiatry from the Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association in 2002. He is an advocate for mental health issues relate to climate instability, burnout, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism for a better world. He serves on the Editorial Board of Psychiatric TimesTM.
