QFi flight crew contracting coronavirus

[Melburnian1]

Quite recently AFFer jb747 said in reply to me that 'QFi crew do not socialise.'

A story (re crew contracting coronavirus) on Wed 8 April in 'The Australian' online implies otherwise.

QF management via its chief medical officer is asserting that 'all evidence pointed to infection occurring in an overseas port rather than in-flight.' (This seems to be in relation to five QFi crew who worked QF7 from SYD to DFW with 'Ruby Princess' cruise ship passengers onboard.)

The CMO says that these crew 'weren't restricted' in their movements but QF is now looking to enforce stricter protocols. He says they maintained 'social distancing.'

In Oz we're told that one ought not be with someone else in 'close contact' for 15 minutes or more, as this is a major risk for contracting coronavirus.

So if these crews never socialise and stay in their rooms, not even eating downstairs or partying at a rooftop or other bar, and having minimal contact with airport staff, bus drivers and hotel staff, how did they contract the virus other than on the flight?

Or do they in fact routinely ignore instructions not to socialise and meet up with each other, drink and/or mingle with others?

Apparently in total at QF, eight pilots/other flight crew and '18 or 19' flight attendants have tested positive thus far. It's not explained whether some are domestic flight/cabin crew.

 

[jb747]

You really need to learn to spot the bait when it’s thrown.

QFi pilots and cabin crew have very little to do with each other. As often as not, they stay in different hotels. But, they do come into close contact with each other during flights, and there is very little that can be done to reduce that. coughpits are simply filthy. The sort of cleaning that is needed on switches, etc, can’t be done by Fred the cleaner, and it isn’t done by the engineers. And you don’t really want the pilots touching switches so that they can clean them, whilst in flight. Plus, of course, it’s very difficult to move further away from the FO, even if you (or he) wants to. Crews are transported in buses, not individually, so perhaps another point of crossover.

All of the crew come into contact with numerous people when passing through airports. I wonder how often x-ray scanners, hand held wands, and their users, are checked.

Plus, I‘d expect that most of these people live in inner Sydney, which is perhaps an issue in itself.

 

[Melburnian1]

You really need to learn to spot the bait when it’s thrown....

You've also previously not noticed a couple of nuances in my comments. It's a failing of the internet, especially when one chooses not to choose emoticons.