Keeping ALPA Flight Crews Current On the Coronavirus
By ALPA Staff
As the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, approaches 100,000 global cases and both national and international health organizations make preparations for what could easily become a pandemic outbreak, it’s important for airline pilots to be aware of the current locations of the virus, its characteristics and symptoms, and the proper measures to contain it.
To provide flight crews with the latest details about the disease, ALPA created a webpage to serve as an information hub for members. This resource includes the latest ALPA Air Safety Organization (ASO) updates, links to both U.S. and Canadian government agency information, and recommendations to avoid transmission. The webpage also provides a host of documents covering issues like protocols for flight and cabin crews, quarantine guidance, and reporting tools for pilots.
In addition, ALPA FastReads are distributed weekly, along with other communications tools, to advise members about the latest accessible resources while providing any breaking news. ALPA’s ASO continues to closely monitor the status of COVID-19 and is holding weekly conference calls with ALPA master executive council Central Air Safety and Aeromedical representatives until the state of emergency ends.
On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” more than a month after the disease first appeared in Wuhan in the Hubei Province of China. COVID-19 maintains a significant presence in Southeast Asia, and cases have been reported in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, including the United States and Canada.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for China and Iran, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted a Level 3 advisory, directing U.S. citizens to “avoid nonessential travel” to South Korea.
At airports in Toronto, Ont.; Montréal, Qué., and Vancouver, B.C., the Public Health Agency of Canada has placed new messaging on customs arrivals screens, advising travelers who’ve been to Wuhan to inform a Canada Border Services Agency officer if they’re experiencing flu-like symptoms.
WHO describes SARS-CoV-2, the name of the specific virus strain that causes COVID-19, as one of “a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as middle east respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome.” The term novel coronavirus simply means it’s a new strain that hasn’t been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses feature projections that resemble the points of a crown (or corona in Latin), and seven known types of the coronavirus can infect humans. Means of transmission include close contact (within six feet) via respiratory droplets or when touching objects or surfaces in contact with the virus. Being infected with COVID-19 can be much like getting the flu, and symptoms include coughs, fever, and breathing difficulties—and in more extreme cases organ failure. There are no known treatments, and those who’ve recovered from the disease have done so largely on their own. Infected individuals are encouraged to drink lots of fluids and take warm showers along with pain and fever medications.
The best way to contain the virus is to practice good hygiene. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Routinely wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. If soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and be sure to disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Providing real-time information about COVID-19 is a top priority for ALPA, the ASO, its Pilot Assistance structure, and the Aeromedical Committee. Look for future updates about the disease, the latest ways to protect your crew and passengers, and other important information on ALPA’s coronavirus website and in other union communications.
More questions?
U.S. ALPA members with additional coronavirus questions can contact the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service, ALPA’s Aeromedical Office, at 303-341-4435, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. mountain time. Canadian ALPA members are encouraged to contact David Noble, the Association’s pilot health consultant, in the Association’s Toronto, Ont., office toll-free at 1-800-561-9576 to be referred to a physician.
