As the U.S. records rising COVID-19 deaths and airlines cancel over 1,300 flights this week due to Omicron and winter storms, airports are back in the spotlight. Global Stringer spoke with passengers at New York’s JFK Airport to gauge sentiment on pandemic protocols.
Traveler Maria Gonzalez, 28, praised enhanced cleaning: “I see staff sanitizing surfaces constantly—it makes me feel safer.” But Chicago-based software engineer Raj Patel called mask enforcement “inconsistent,” adding: “Some people wear them below their noses, and no one corrects them.”
Current CDC airport guidelines mandate masks indoors and recommend social distancing, but compliance varies. Passenger feedback reflects a split: 62% of interviewees felt measures were “adequate,” while 38% called for stricter enforcement or contactless check-in upgrades. A Delta flight attendant, speaking anonymously, cited staffing shortages: “We’re stretched thin managing both safety and delays.”
With Omicron driving a 45% spike in U.S. airport screenings since December, public health expert Dr. Lisa Chen warns: “Airports remain vulnerable hubs. Testing infrastructure and airflow upgrades must keep pace with variants.” As travelers navigate the new normal, the balancing act between safety and convenience continues to evolve.
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What do passengers think of COVID-19 prevention measures at airport?
cgtn.com
