German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has gotten some bad press regarding a transatlantic flight he took from Germany to Canada earlier this week, and I think it’s warranted. I first wrote about this a couple of days ago, though the story gets even more interesting, following the return flight to Germany.
In this post:
Germany still requires masks on planes
While masks were required on most airlines around the globe for the better part of two years, at this point we’ve seen many countries make mask wearing optional. In Europe, one of the only remaining countries to continue requiring masks on planes is Germany.
Not only does Germany continue to require masks, but the current administration has approved an extension of this policy through April 7, 2023, meaning mask wearing will likely be required for well over seven additional months. On top of that, Germany is tightening restrictions around the types of masks travelers can wear, requiring N95-style masks. This is being done in anticipation of an increase of coronavirus cases in the fall and winter.
We all have our own opinions when it comes to masking on planes — personally I appreciate the ability to make my own choice, given that nowadays we have quality masks that provide a high level of protection to the person wearing them as well, and we also have treatments that can minimize the serious risk of coronavirus.
I know many aren’t happy about Germany having extended its mask requirement, and behavior by Chancellor Scholz isn’t helping with that sentiment.
German Chancellor Scholz flies maskless
On Monday, Chancellor Scholz flew from Germany to Canada with quite an entourage on a German government Airbus A340-300. In addition to being accompanied by Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck, he was also accompanied by more than 80 other passengers, mostly journalists.
Based on the videos and pictures from the flight, virtually no one was wearing a mask, which seems to contradict the government’s stance (for that matter, the Canadian government also requires masking on planes). A government spokesperson has tried to justify this in two ways, both of which I find to be rather ridiculous:
- It’s claimed that “there is no mask requirement on Air Force flights,” though Germany’s Infection Protection Act doesn’t mention this exemption; for that matter, it would be ridiculous and a very bad look if Germany just excluded government jets from this requirement
- It’s claimed that “all participants on the trip must present a current negative PCR test prior to departure,” which is also true for some travel destinations out of Germany, yet masks are still required on those flights
The story gets even more interesting
Chancellor Scholz has now completed his return flight to Germany, traveling with the same entourage. Did the bad optics surrounding the mask policy have an impact on behavior on the return flight? Nope. It’s reported that Scholz and most passengers still didn’t wear masks on the return flight.
But here’s what makes this even more noteworthy. Remember how one of the justifications given for not requiring masks was that everyone had to take a PCR test? Well, that only applied before the outbound flight, and not the return flight, which was several days later.
A government spokesperson was asked about this, and here’s how that went:
Journalist: “Mr Hebestreit, you or a spokesman for the federal government said that there was a high level of protection because everyone on board the plane had to have a current negative PCR test. There were several flights. You didn’t just fly from Berlin to Canada, but then further and further and then back again. This means that each person had to show several PCR tests, correct?”
Government spokesperson: “No, that’s not correct. To start the journey, which began on Sunday, every participant on this journey had to present a current PCR test that was not older than 24 hours.”
Another journalist asked if troops being transported on government planes had to wear masks. Here’s the answer:
“The A400M is usually used for troop transports in the operational areas. Masks are generally compulsory here.”
Bottom line
German Chancellor Scholz is being criticized for not masking on a German government jet, even though Germany continues to have a mask mandate for aviation. A government spokesperson provided lame excuses, suggesting that everyone was tested (which only applied prior to the first flight, and not prior to travel on subsequent days), and that the law doesn’t apply on government planes (which also isn’t a good look, even though apparently troops being transported have to wear masks).
It’s disappointing to see the lack of leadership here. If the German government thinks that it’s important for people to wear masks on planes, then the German Chancellor should be leading by example, especially in front of media, to show that he’s not above the rules.
Even if masks weren’t technically required on government planes, you’d think Scholz could acknowledge the situation and say it’s the right thing to do (based on everyone else being told it’s the right thing to do), rather than doubling down with lame excuses.
What do you make of this German government face mask controversy?
(Featured image courtesy of BriYYZ)
Asking govt officials to comply with their own regulations? Das ist unmoglich!
I flew from Hamburg to Helsinki two weeks ago. No masks at the airport or on the plane. What exactly are the rules? Just flights into Germany and not at all once off the plane?
Typical hypocrisy by the West.
The elite so called leaders dont flow their own rules...rules are for the common folk not for the ruling party...pathetic
Weirdly enough, this has been causing almost no blowback online from Germans themselves.
It seems most German anti-maskers are happy government officials are ignoring rules with which the commenters disagree, while German pro-maskers are loath to criticize a government constantly under attack by Putinist propagandists.
The apparent hypocrisy of having different policies (for government officials and every else) doesn’t seem to bother anybody, which was quite the surprise to me, given how Germans...
Weirdly enough, this has been causing almost no blowback online from Germans themselves.
It seems most German anti-maskers are happy government officials are ignoring rules with which the commenters disagree, while German pro-maskers are loath to criticize a government constantly under attack by Putinist propagandists.
The apparent hypocrisy of having different policies (for government officials and every else) doesn’t seem to bother anybody, which was quite the surprise to me, given how Germans are generally sticklers for principle.
At first I was a bit so what as it’s a Government flight and everyone was tested prior. But at this point given the absurd extension of masking until next spring he has a heck of a nerve.
I wonder if and when we will ever get the real truth on the science of COVID spread, indoors and out, maskless and masked. And if the truth will ever emerge about vaccine effectiveness. I wish I had the money back that I spent on countless PCR and rapid tests I was forced to take due to the overreach of public health officials. I do not now, nor did I ever had a problem with...
I wonder if and when we will ever get the real truth on the science of COVID spread, indoors and out, maskless and masked. And if the truth will ever emerge about vaccine effectiveness. I wish I had the money back that I spent on countless PCR and rapid tests I was forced to take due to the overreach of public health officials. I do not now, nor did I ever had a problem with masking if asked but the testing was the height of hypocrisy given the virus had spread world wide early on and masking, which claimed to be effective, was mandated.
It is definitely appalling to say at least! Mandatory vaccination for elder people every 6 months, saving gas, savimg here and there, Covid rules here and there and prices in all sectors soaring to the sky. A prosperous First World country? Thanks to Putin and the stupid German government, the people are now poorer, more desperate and clueless on its future! Now this never ending mask rules.
This SPD/GREEN/FDP administration is definitely would not...
It is definitely appalling to say at least! Mandatory vaccination for elder people every 6 months, saving gas, savimg here and there, Covid rules here and there and prices in all sectors soaring to the sky. A prosperous First World country? Thanks to Putin and the stupid German government, the people are now poorer, more desperate and clueless on its future! Now this never ending mask rules.
This SPD/GREEN/FDP administration is definitely would not last than 4 years, if it keeps on deciding wrongly, it would not finish its term and it will be voted out from governance.
Jeeez, you thought Merkel is bad but these former opposition parties are more worst than I could image. A scandalous Chancellor and ministers who definitely do not know how to handle their ressorts. This Germany is bound to hit the wall and its people are just lettung these idiots rule them to poverty and misery.
Masks for thee, but not for me.
Such brazen hypocrisy tells you everything you need to know about whether German politicians truly believe that masking is important and that the requirements actually have nothing at all to do with health.
Glad that the press are picking up on the double standard behaviour by elites with things such as mask wearing. After these people destroyed our lives for the last two years and chose to not live by rules they implemented. To hell with them.
Ben, as I have written elswhere, I’d point you to § 54 a IfSG. It allows the Bundeswehr to execute the provisions of the IfSG differently, similar to how the Eisenbahnbundesamt may execute the provisions of the IfSG differently (§ 54 b) or how the Bundesländer may differ from one another in the execution of the provisions of the IfSG (§ 54). The Bundeswehr has made good use of this, as have the Bundesländer and...
Ben, as I have written elswhere, I’d point you to § 54 a IfSG. It allows the Bundeswehr to execute the provisions of the IfSG differently, similar to how the Eisenbahnbundesamt may execute the provisions of the IfSG differently (§ 54 b) or how the Bundesländer may differ from one another in the execution of the provisions of the IfSG (§ 54). The Bundeswehr has made good use of this, as have the Bundesländer and the Eisenbahnbundesamt, throughout the pandemic. So having the Chancellor and his entourage fly on a Bundeswehr plane without masks is lawful legal and indeed standard practice for the Bundeswehr. So no, the Chancellor was not in violation of the IfSG, but adhering to it if the BMin BMVg has ordered per § 54 a Abs 1 Nr 3 IfSG that no masks are required onboard Bundeswehr flights.
If masks on planes are worthwhile if the vast majority of travelers is tested, vaccinated, and no masks are required within the terminal is of course a different question….as is the question of political optics.
Why is this shocking anymore? Haven't we all seen enough examples of this over the last two years? "Rules for thee but not for me!"
Reminds me of the Obama maskless birthday bash with masked bartender, or Met Gala with only the wait staff masked while serving the beautiful unmasked guests.
Do as I say and not as I do! Should we expect anything different?
Just imagine if covid were around in the late 30's....oh the German government would have LOVED it.....and the population would have even more so willingly complied.
Classic case of.. dare I say
Laws for thee but not for me
Agree - it is ridiculous
Typical of German politicians - they always think they are better than anyone else!
And since today we know: even Singapore and Singapore airlines are ending mask mandate. Singapore!
Extensive Scientific Research has shown that masks are virtually useless. The best finding was that masks might protect a user over 60 but essentially they are no protection whatsoever.
People should be allowed to mask if it makes them happy. The requirement for me to wear a stupid piece of porous cloth just so someone else can feel protected is ridiculous. Wear a mask but don't force me into a stupid activity. Some research shows...
Extensive Scientific Research has shown that masks are virtually useless. The best finding was that masks might protect a user over 60 but essentially they are no protection whatsoever.
People should be allowed to mask if it makes them happy. The requirement for me to wear a stupid piece of porous cloth just so someone else can feel protected is ridiculous. Wear a mask but don't force me into a stupid activity. Some research shows that masks concentrate the virus and are thus a hazard.
Canada requires masking - stupid - but like the German Chancellor when Trudeau flies around the world on his private Government Jets he is ALWAYS MASKLESS. He also claims he is FULLY VACCINATED but has had COVID 5 TIMES and counting.
It's all about the masses having one set of rules and the elite (from WEF) being above the plebes and not having to act like a peasant.
"Extensive Scientific Research"......is that a brand name, since the "scientific research" part is oddly capitalized? I ask because "extensive scientific research" has never shown anything even close to what you're implying, and the only way that your statement could be true is if some entity called "Extensive Scientific Research" did some BS studies to bootstrap that conclusion.
In other words, Extensive Scientific Research has shown that your statement is absolute garbage
"Extensive Scientific Research"......is that a brand name, since the "scientific research" part is oddly capitalized? I ask because "extensive scientific research" has never shown anything even close to what you're implying, and the only way that your statement could be true is if some entity called "Extensive Scientific Research" did some BS studies to bootstrap that conclusion.
In other words, Extensive Scientific Research has shown that your statement is absolute garbage
Wonder why extreme leftists always attack the person rather than the premise?
There's so much wrong with this that I can only type that there's so much wrong with this. But hey, never let facts get in the way of a good spew of nonsense!
To date the available body of scientific research has shown that one way masking (IE if you want to protect yourself, you wear a mask) with an N95 or equivlent mask is very successful at protecting the wearer. Surgical masks have a very modest if any benefit. Cloth masks are straight garbage.
So its simple. If you think you are at high risk from a covid-19 infection, you need to wear an N-95. What...
To date the available body of scientific research has shown that one way masking (IE if you want to protect yourself, you wear a mask) with an N95 or equivlent mask is very successful at protecting the wearer. Surgical masks have a very modest if any benefit. Cloth masks are straight garbage.
So its simple. If you think you are at high risk from a covid-19 infection, you need to wear an N-95. What anyone else does makes no difference.
If you don't think you are at high risk, then dont worry about what anyone else does.
But do remember that covid is never going away. If you will be in better health in the future than you are now(finishing treatment, getting vaccinated, etc), then do what you can to delay catching covid.
OTOH, if you are as healthy as you are going to get right now, there is no point in delaying catching coivd. I'm not advocating for covid parties, but you cannot wear an N95 forever, and you cannot avoid covid forever, so just live your life and let the cards fall where they may.
If there is nothing more indicative of leftist hypocrisy and elitism, it's the German chancellor and the "climate" entourage flying long haul on a jumbo jet, ignoring their own mask mandates. We are told we all have to produce less CO2, for the planet, we are told. But what they didn't tell you is that they just meant you little people need to do with less. They get to keep doing what they want, and...
If there is nothing more indicative of leftist hypocrisy and elitism, it's the German chancellor and the "climate" entourage flying long haul on a jumbo jet, ignoring their own mask mandates. We are told we all have to produce less CO2, for the planet, we are told. But what they didn't tell you is that they just meant you little people need to do with less. They get to keep doing what they want, and keep feeling self righteous about it too. Pretty much the same situation with masks. They are playing you useful idiot activist types for fools. They don't really care about your cause du jour, they are just rolling in money, feeling self righteous, and parroting your talking points.
Oh and btw, satellite data shows there has been no statistically significant temperature increase in the last 8 years. Prior to that there was an 11 year or so pause. There has not been a major temperature increase trend since the late 90's/early 00's, you know, when this scare started. You don't remember "5 years to act"...20 years ago? But the activists are still pretending like it's an emergency. Now we just blew 900 Billion on a boondoggle that will make rich people richer, and a handout to China as well. But I'm sure that will fix the climate though, right? No more natural disasters ever again, right?
Oh, and did you notice that when the world shut down due to covid, the CO2 atmospheric concentration trend kept going up? Human emissions plummeted, but atmospheric CO2 kept rising. How can that be? Well, because oceans are the primary cause of CO2 emissions. You see, if you learned a little about physics, you would know that CO2 increases lags temperature increases, as it is due to CO2 outgassing of warming oceans. CO2 can't be both the cause and the effect of temperature increase.
But I know, the leftist response to this is: "denier! denier!", and "bbbut scientists say its an emergency!". Both logical fallacies.
Oddly enough I flew into YYZ today on DL, maskless until we entered the terminal. After the usual song and dance in the CBSA area, I got my rental and headed to the 409, only to wait for 10 minutes for the 30 vehicle motorcade to pass. Which struck me as odd as I have been in close proximity to Trudeau when in Canada, and his is not even half the size.... but I digress......
Oddly enough I flew into YYZ today on DL, maskless until we entered the terminal. After the usual song and dance in the CBSA area, I got my rental and headed to the 409, only to wait for 10 minutes for the 30 vehicle motorcade to pass. Which struck me as odd as I have been in close proximity to Trudeau when in Canada, and his is not even half the size.... but I digress... as I rolled up the side of the airport past Signature Aviation, there sat the 340, in all its glory.....
But... but... but...
What does the front cabin look like? The catering?
More importantly, do they each have their own individual air nozzles?
HOW ARE THE DOORS.........
I can’t believe that it still mandatory to wear masks on the airplanes in Germany ♂️. So there is Covid on airplanes, but don’t worry Covid won’t be allowed to be in Oktoberfest (2 million people) Humans can be very ridiculous!
So stupid… This man Olaf Scholz just steps into one pile of sh*t after another, he needs to step down and his lifelong pensions must be reduced to the equivalent of minimum wage pay.
And Canada requires all passengers on flights to and from Canada to wear masks. The Chancellor obviously doesn’t respect Canadian laws either! Lol
That a340 is a beautiful plane. I’ve driven into the tunnel under the taxiway on Sepulveda Blvd near the entrance to LAX and seen it .
Also notable is that all fights (at least those on commercial planes) in and out of Canada require masking when not eating or drinking
Wow, so I glad you made this post - i almost made a terrible mistake of taking LH back to the US in September, didn't realize they still partake in the clown show.
As for the rest of the story - that's just western politicians doing what western politicians do. And pains me to say, but arguably German govt are world's most western western politicians at the moment. I mean has anybody seen anyone more ridiculous?
Fly Swissair instead, better product and the mask thing not a rule.
Ooops, forgot the point. BA did not require masks on the LHRFRA segment.
I don't know if LH enforce this enthusiastically but I don't intend to find out. My last trip into FRA I took BA via LHR to avoid this mask nonsense.
LH hasn’t enforced it in first in months.
Yes, Lucky, you are totally right that this shines an unfortunate light on Scholz. Nevertheless, I find it so boring and unnecessary to keep bringing this topic of mask mandates up…why is it so hard to accept for people that sometimes a mask must be worn. Why does there always have to be a proper reason for everything?
Some might argue that in a free society, like Germany, rules should be applied for a reason, and they should apply equally to all people. Rules that are implemented for no reason serve no purpose, and their application would be meaningless.
My last ET flight from ADD to FRA we were told we had to mask. I think the crew was just following orders because once we stepped on the plane and for the duration of the flight literally no one was wearing a mask. Nothing was said.
Not even the we must follow the science crowd can defend this crap anymore. They've gone into hiding. Can't blame them. It's hard to defend the indefensible. I just hope people have had their eyes opened by this 2 year fiasco.
" I just hope people have had their eyes opened by this 2 year fiasco."
It did. It showed me people are too damn selfish for a minor inconvenience even if it helps protect other people.
The problem is that it did not protect anyone and was done more for virtue signaling. Unless you are going to have people wear an N95 and skip the food/beverage service, it does not work.
You're still clinging to this fantasy that masks protected anyone? Masks are completely ineffectual, unless N95 were mandated, and even those only marginally effective, while causing lots of other non covid problems. What region with mask mandates can you point to that shut down the virus? Where exactly did mask mandates work?
Haven't you figured out yet that Covid doesn't just spread from large droplets from coughs and sneezes? No, it's aerosolized in your...
You're still clinging to this fantasy that masks protected anyone? Masks are completely ineffectual, unless N95 were mandated, and even those only marginally effective, while causing lots of other non covid problems. What region with mask mandates can you point to that shut down the virus? Where exactly did mask mandates work?
Haven't you figured out yet that Covid doesn't just spread from large droplets from coughs and sneezes? No, it's aerosolized in your breath, it goes straight through masks.
What this has showed me is how completely unthinking, scientifically illiterate, and sheeplike the vast majority of people are. Even after 2+ years of being told some device will protect you, and yet it doing absolutely nothing, some people still believe it so. You're probably one of those guys I see driving by themselves double masked. Way to stay safe there buddy.
Why must the mask-deniers be so angry and spiteful? Masks are certainly not perfect, but there are rafts of studies in the scientific literature showing that they are helpful in reducing transmission. The pandemic has been a terrible ordeal for the planet, and many people have died from it or have had prolonged disability. A mask is a simple inconvenience that is moderately effective. Why be so negative about attempts to combat the pandemic. Granted...
Why must the mask-deniers be so angry and spiteful? Masks are certainly not perfect, but there are rafts of studies in the scientific literature showing that they are helpful in reducing transmission. The pandemic has been a terrible ordeal for the planet, and many people have died from it or have had prolonged disability. A mask is a simple inconvenience that is moderately effective. Why be so negative about attempts to combat the pandemic. Granted there are many unanswered questions, but why make the perfect be the enemy of the good? Please stop the misinformation about masking being "completely ineffectual" -- those statements border on conspiracy theories and disinformation bots.
Masks are helpful in reducing transmission only if they are N95 masks. There have been several studies to include the Stanford study out of Bangladesh which found only a very modest affect when wearing a surgical mask (for a population that was covid niave and unvaccinated). It isnt hard to believe that surgical masks in a vaccinated and previously exposed population will have even less of an effect.
Age regression studies in both Spain and...
Masks are helpful in reducing transmission only if they are N95 masks. There have been several studies to include the Stanford study out of Bangladesh which found only a very modest affect when wearing a surgical mask (for a population that was covid niave and unvaccinated). It isnt hard to believe that surgical masks in a vaccinated and previously exposed population will have even less of an effect.
Age regression studies in both Spain and Finland also noted no difference in the rate of transmission with the wear of masks for children who were mandated to wear masks at a specific age and those who were not. If surgical masks actually worked there should have been a drop between the non-compulsary age and the compulsary age. There wasn't.
Then when you consider that the majority of "studies" released by the CDC in MMWR are horribly confounded it becomes very difficult to support the statement that all masks offer some protection.
I do agree that for the majority of people an N95 isn't that big of a deal. However, since one way masking with an N95 is very effective, it doesn't matter what your neighbor does. If you think you need a mask, wear one. If you don't, then dont. Its not much harder than that.
If that's what you learned over the past 2 years, then you have had your eyes closed since birth. Nobody cares about you or anyone else and never has. We have never all been in this together.
I flew three flights to/from Germany in the last two weeks: on FR, QR and BA and almost no passengers were wearing face masks. This included cabin crew on QR and FR flights as well. Mask fatigue is finally catching up to Germany and even in most places where masks are still required, more and more people just don't bother anymore. I doubt it will take the government much longer to acknowledge this.
I mean how dumb is this. At this point in the game, letting the government decide what is best for everyone. Clearly he gives zero fucks.
When was it not dumb?
Canada requires mask wearing by all occupants of all commercial aircraft flying into, out from, or within Canada. I daresay "military" flights aren't covered by the regulation but if the plane was full ov non-military, non-government people, I'm not sure the "loophole" is a good look for Scholz. Anything that brings Boris or The Donald into people's minds is best avoided by a politician in Europe who might oneday seek re-election.
I thought they had replaced the A340-300s with new A350-900s? That’s the real question here
@ Ray -- Hahaha, I thought that too, but in this case he was definitely flying an A340-300 based on the registration code and the size of the engines.
they are replacing them but, to no ones surprise, its taking longer than expected (and costing more as well). In the meantime, some of the older A340s stay in use.
@Ben
The Luftwaffe. It’s one of the best Air Force ones out there.
I just saw they’re getting an a350.
Sorry Ben, you are not correct. Germany has not yet extended the mask mandate until 2023. It's just a proposal (Gesetzesentwurf) from the health ministry and nothing more. The Bundestag will have a look on that in September and decides then. As of the situation now, where the FDP says they want again the discussion about the mask mandate on the table I don't think it will still be alive at the end of September.
Sorry Ben, you are not correct. Germany has not yet extended the mask mandate until 2023. It's just a proposal (Gesetzesentwurf) from the health ministry and nothing more. The Bundestag will have a look on that in September and decides then. As of the situation now, where the FDP says they want again the discussion about the mask mandate on the table I don't think it will still be alive at the end of September.
Interessting is that many foreign press ist reporting this all completely wrong.
@ Jan -- Thanks for the correct, I appreciate it. I updated the post to reflect that.
How typical of the wokery of the left wing European socialists. The Dems want the same here.
What does “woke” mean?
Interesting - I just flew RIX-MUC this morning on Air Baltic (really nice/new A220, might I add), and had no idea masks were required for Germany flights. It was never announced, I only saw 2 people on the flight wearing them, the crew was not wearing them, at MUC I hardly saw anyone wearing them, and didn't notice any signage about them.
@ pstm91 -- That's interesting. Masks aren't required at airports in Germany, but they're supposed to be required on all flights to & from Germany. Sounds like the airline may not have been enforcing the policy?
most airlines don't enforce that. KLM in Frankfurt even the flight attendants don't wear masks. Finnair, LOT, Swiss, SAS,BA don't enforce anything. Only Lufthansa ist a little bit stricter, but not on all flights.
Flew BUD - WAW on LOT two weeks ago and the flight attendant greeting everyone was making people put a mask on before stepping inside the aircraft. Funny enough, it was not mentioned before this, even when scanning the boarding pass - only when you actually got the plane. It caused quite a line because people had to dig their masks out. My experience seems to be the exception rather than the norm - my...
Flew BUD - WAW on LOT two weeks ago and the flight attendant greeting everyone was making people put a mask on before stepping inside the aircraft. Funny enough, it was not mentioned before this, even when scanning the boarding pass - only when you actually got the plane. It caused quite a line because people had to dig their masks out. My experience seems to be the exception rather than the norm - my flight out of Warsaw (to Riga) about a week ago did not require one. Not sure what happened or what the policy was on my flight this morning to MUC, but masks were never even a thought.
Contrast this with the Lufthansa fiasco of not to long ago.... rules for thee