As the number of new cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus keep diminishing in many areas of the United States and some parts of the world, more people are traveling — and people are traveling more — especially after they have been fully vaccinated…
Asking a Fellow Passenger “Have You Been Vaccinated?” Is That Appropriate?
…but is asking a fellow passenger aboard an airplane “Have you been vaccinated?” an appropriate question to ask?
The husband of FlyerTalk member MarianR likes to sit by the window when aboard an airplane — which typically means that she ends up in the middle seat. Even though they are both fully vaccinated and had an upcoming flight scheduled, MarianR asked: “Wondering if there is any protocol about asking whoever takes the aisle seat if they’ve been vaccinated?”
Many of the responses by fellow FlyerTalk members were rather blunt. “No and if you ask me I’m not giving you that information” is what EAJuggalo posted. “If it is that concerning to you, go all the way to back of the plane, and take a window and an aisle. The odds of a single wanting to sit between two strangers is slim, especially at the very back of the plane.”
FlyerTalk member zeus2120 opined, “While you’re at it, make sure to ask their political affiliation, if they’ve ever had cancer, what religion they are, and if they’ve ever had an abortion. Considering literally none of that is your business, vaccination status shouldn’t be either. Maybe you should rent a car and drive.”
A more diplomatic approach is offered by FlyerTalk member nsx: “Best approach is to smile and say that you’re both vaccinated. Maybe the person will reply and give you the information, maybe not. Either way you are safe.”
Summary
If you are fully vaccinated against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and proudly want everyone in the world to know, terrific. If you do not ever want to get vaccinated and tell anyone, that is also a personal choice of yours…
…but I generally agree with FlyerTalk members that to ask someone if he or she is fully vaccinated is in poor form, as that is asking for personal information which is indeed not the business of the person who is requesting that information unless it is under certain circumstances — such as a medical professional asking a patient prior to surgery or treatment as one example.
Photograph ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
