‘Horrifying disregard of the lives of others’: Ted Cruz slammed for refusing to wear a mask on American Airlines flight
Although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has recently encouraged mask wearing in response to the coronavirus pandemic, some far-right Republicans are still reluctant to wear face masks in public. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, according to AmericaBlog reporter John Aravosis, wasn’t wearing a mask at all during an American Airlines flight from Houston to Dallas on Sunday, July 12 — which is a violation of the airline’s rules.
Aravosis tweeted, “I just confirmed that Ted Cruz went the entire one-hour-eight-minute flight from Houston to Dallas and never put on his mask. So he wasn’t just drinking coffee for a minute.”
Cruz’ defenders have argued that the senator was photographed on the flight when he was drinking coffee. But Twitter user @hossehenad explained, “For those trying to argue that he was drinking, it’s not hard to have a mask on and undo one side to take a sip then put it back on. Most people take their time drinking coffee.”
@AmericanAir I just confirmed that Ted Cruz went the entire one-hour-eight-minute flight from Houston to Dallas and… https://t.co/KJowlOhAqK— John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️🌈 (@John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️🌈) 1594650458.0
@AmericanAir And I just confirmed that none of the American flight attendants on the flight said anything to Cruz a… https://t.co/viwHS7jffG— John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️🌈 (@John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️🌈) 1594651205.0
Texas is among the Sun Belt states that is suffering a troubling surge in COVID-19 infections, and Cruz is being lambasted on social media for not wearing a mask during the flight. Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, tweeted, “Horrifying disregard of the lives of others by both Texas US Senator Ted Cruz and @AmericanAir.”
@aravosis @DianaHsmt @AmericanAir Horrifying disregard of the lives of others by both Texas US Senator Ted Cruz and @AmericanAir.— Marc Perrone (@Marc Perrone) 1594653052.0
Here are some more angry reactions:
@hossehenad @AmericanAir Definitely not flying on @AmericanAir as long as it’s not requiring masks.— Rantidote (@Rantidote) 1594617984.0
@hossehenad @tedcruz fine with infecting other people.— Suzanne Tyrpak - Together, we Rise 🌊 (@Suzanne Tyrpak - Together, we Rise 🌊) 1594649888.0
@hossehenad It sure isn't. I had to wear a mask my whole first aid class, pretty easy to pull it down take a drink and put it back on— Kristen St Denis (@Kristen St Denis) 1594650240.0
@aravosis @AdamParkhomenko @AmericanAir @AmericanAir passengers are buying tickets believing fellow passengers will… https://t.co/eMRLdkta8f— Cameron Bishopp Davis (@Cameron Bishopp Davis) 1594650498.0
@bonitarosekemp @hossehenad @DearAuntCrabby Nope! They obviously don’t care about the other ppl around them, even the ones who elected them!— Tina 💙 #DemCastAL (@Tina 💙 #DemCastAL) 1594652005.0
@aravosis @AmericanAir They should never have allowed him on the plane. Anyone who was on the flight & comes down w… https://t.co/Q92BMe8Ebn— Joan Smith (@Joan Smith) 1594650142.0
@aravosis @AmericanAir I hate these people. Shame on @AmericanAir ! This is why people should avoid flying when the… https://t.co/HeExhvXY8p— MDWow! (@MDWow!) 1594649540.0
@SteveTrunk @aravosis @tomtomorrow @AmericanAir Ted Cruz doesn’t have any class. So that makes the rest of us higher class....😷👍— Lucy “Dog with a Bone” (@Lucy “Dog with a Bone”) 1594651448.0
@aravosis @kodiak149 @AmericanAir Rules need to be the same for EVERYONE, regardless of politics/money. He should… https://t.co/CEnRvWEWY4— Freddie (Frederica) (@Freddie (Frederica)) 1594649775.0
@aravosis @MonVgh @AmericanAir unacceptable @AmericanAir. Do better. Enforce mask wearing for EVERYONE or not at al… https://t.co/NvFT2LlWyh— Susan Jane (@🏡, 😷) (@Susan Jane (@🏡, 😷)) 1594651749.0
@aravosis @AmericanAir That’s exactly why I’m not interested in flying, right now. The airlines won’t and can’t con… https://t.co/4PswBA0iLe— Capt M J Singleton 🇺🇸 (@Capt M J Singleton 🇺🇸) 1594651914.0
@pairahdoxx @aravosis @AmericanAir Corporations don’t have a heart. Neither do Republicans like Ted Cruz.— Lazy Circles (@Lazy Circles) 1594653066.0
@aravosis @AdamParkhomenko @AmericanAir @tedcruz is entitled. And he loves FEELING entitled. And he has NO humility… https://t.co/neDXnEGVC5— Andi (@Andi) 1594649904.0
@aravosis @AmericanAir Don’t let him board @AmericanAir - this is an airline to avoid if they aren’t strict on masks— Theresa (@Theresa) 1594649816.0
@aravosis @seananmcguire @AmericanAir Exactly what I expect from Ted Cruz.— David R. Watson (@David R. Watson) 1594652813.0
