Transcript of the Interview

Juergen Steinmetz:
Aloha excellent morning, everybody. My identify is Juergen Steinmetz, becoming a member of you from livestream.trip in Honolulu, Hawaii. And with me nowadays, we’ve a gentleman who’s becoming a member of us from Washington DC. Dr. Hassan Shahidi, and he’s the president and CEO of Flight Protection Basis. The Flight Protection Basis is a corporation that has collaborated within the fields of what it says, I suppose, battle in protection. Let us know just a little bit extra concerning the background .

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Thanks once more and excellent to be with you. And thanks for the invitation flight protection basis was once based within the 1940s as a nonprofit for the only real goal of advancing aviation protection globally, and dealing collaboratively with NGOs nongovernment organizations, governments, and business to support aviation protection for passengers and everybody. And we’re the, within the industry of advocacy for issues of safety and industry of offering knowledge to passengers and touring public and elevating problems in relation to a wide range of questions of safety and safety problems, together with warfare zones and Coronavirus and such things as that.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Neatly, you will have to be busy. Should’ve been busy than not too long ago with the placement ongoing, as it’s a large query, Mark. In the event you display to truly get on a aircraft or no longer get at the aircraft, and once I learn via your press releases, you inform folks to if truth be told, it’s alright to get on a aircraft.

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Neatly, are you aware, we’ve, for the reason that outset of this pandemic, we’ve been operating evening and day around the globe, taking a look at the entire information, the entire knowledge even earlier than any of those protection measures akin to mask and such things as that had been in position. So we’ve been tracking very intently what is occurring no longer simply in the United States however as I discussed globally, and we’ve been taking a look at instances and taking a look at information and in particular what the airways and airports were doing in the case of the hygiene and the entire measures which were installed, installed position. And our research mainly confirmed that there are, the dangers are very low. And actually, there are very, only a few instances of verified transmissions onboard airplane. So we’ve concluded that for passengers if you happen to’re flying, they’re secure to fly. In the event you observe the foundations and phrases of hygiene and mask., and, and if you happen to do this, you’ll have a secure adventure.

Juergen Steinmetz:
So you could almost certainly believe Paul Hudson, we had on a display ultimate week with reference to mask-wearing a Paul has been combating, I

Juergen Steinmetz:
Suppose in FAA or FCC order of what doesn’t, what makes mask-wearing truly no longer necessary, however voluntary, even supposing it’s enforced it seems that by way of the foremost airways, nevertheless it’s no longer essentially enforced by way of the no 3rd carriers in america. How do you stand with mass squaring necessities on an airplane?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
We completely agree that you need to have mask. And actually, all airways are requiring mask, virtually nearly all airways. And we’ve revealed a inside flight Sage basis, flight protection basis.org. In the event you have a look at that golden laws, one of the vital first Gordon golden laws of wear and tear a masks and observe commonplace sense procedures in the case of hygiene. So completely carrying mask is really vital.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Now, with regards to cleansing, airplane’s they have got been numerous tales on easy methods to blank the airplane. And I’m without a doubt no longer a professional in it, however you’ll be with extremely purple and, and different new fashionable ways that would if truth be told kill the virus and it will have to be completed between each flight. After which we heard tales it’s no longer completed in the United States as it’s merely no longer imaginable to do it. There’s no longer sufficient time. The place can we stand with this?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Neatly, to begin with, I feel audience and listeners will have to know that onboard airplane, there are more than one layers, of hygiene and air high quality coverage. To begin with your listeners would possibly know that that airplane is supplied with positive filters which might be referred to as HEPA filters, excessive, high-efficiency filters which might be if truth be told sanatorium working rooms, nice filters that seize 99.99% of all of the debris within the air. There’s trade recent trade of air each two or 3 mins. The airflow inside the plane is vertical, this means that it comes from the ceiling and sucked down from the, from the ground to reduce horizontal motion of it, of air. And as you discussed, there are hygiene and cleansing and disaffected inside the cabin. And so I feel all of the ones issues are operating as a layered technique, a layered technique to reduce the danger of virus, transmission, and kill, kill the virus.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Isn’t this differs relying at the airplane or the economic airplane higher you’ll fly? So what airplane do you suppose you will have to fly which might be more secure than others? Is there an inventory, or is there an enjoy?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Neatly, all fashionable L airplane are supplied with all fashionable airplane or industrial airplane are supplied with those HEPA filters and the issues I discussed in the case of, and all of that, they’re all usual, Boeing, Airbus, and barrier. These kinds of producers have, have the similar requirements and trumps of the purposes and the generation.

Juergen Steinmetz:
And we’ve been speaking so much about social distancing and, and easily, it’s almost certainly no longer imaginable to do and follow the social distancing six ft boundary. And now some say it’s, it’s 10 ft and others in Europe, degree 3 ft. So we don’t truly know precisely leaving the center of the seat. Open was once an ambition to start with. Now, many airways again retreating and say, k, it doesn’t truly make any distinction, however what’s your enjoy with social distancing at the aircraft?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Proper. So I feel maximum airways now undoubtedly new L a US and in other places are adhering to that, protecting the center seat open. And that’s excellent for construction passenger self assurance and, and, , it’s extra comfy undoubtedly and up to they may be able to, however, , a minimum of in the meanwhile , this is being equipped, however social distancing, whether or not you allow the center seat open or no longer isn’t completed. So as a result of you’ve gotten anyone in France, anyone within the again and anyone around the aisle so what the flight protection basis is pronouncing is the layered manner is the most efficient manner which is the place masks follows hygiene, wash your fingers, don’t contact your mouth, and eyes that the mass will have to be protecting your nostril and mouth comfortable. And if you happen to do all of that, you are going to be secure. For instance, you’ll be in a price tag counter, you’ll be going via immigration, for instance, you’ll be on the luggage house. So, so so social distancing might not be completed at each unmarried level of the adventure. So when you’ve got this layered manner and simply observe commonplace sense, you’re going to be secure.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Nope. While you, while you trip longer distances, for example, right here in Hawaii, the entirety is taking longer. It takes 5 hours to get to the closest level on the United States mainland. Is that this expanding your possibility altogether taking a flight let’s say from Hawaii anyplace to the United States mainland?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
So we haven’t noticed any proof taking a look across the world at long-distance flights, even 12 hours to 18 hours between Asia and Europe and Asia and, and, and in other places the place we’ve noticed proof that the length has had any impact at the charge of transmission. In order that, after all, this information has endured to expand, however we haven’t noticed it as I discussed, the verified instances that we have got noticed. And actually, were revealed in scientific journals are only a few, two dozen instances. And there’ve been on each brief time period, brief flights, and lengthy flights,

Juergen Steinmetz:
Nope. At some airways, or I feel they all around the line right here in america have reduce on provider significantly out of protection precautions. And I’m for my part don’t perceive why this, this, and what they’re truly slicing down. Once I name it United airways, I’m at three million, my flyer with United. So I’m at the best tier with them for the remainder of my lifestyles. And I requested him, so if I do take this flight to Germany, what I’m serious about, and I am going industry as a result of I don’t get any meals, and it seems that, I don’t get numerous meals. And w Y is slicing down provider important. I imply, wouldn’t or not it’s extra a laugh to extend provider, so folks really feel extra comfy and will kill time higher.

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
That’s proper. No, you’re proper. And I feel what mainly it boils all the way down to is minimizing motion inside the cabin. That’s truly what it boils all the way down to. Neatly, as, , by way of the way in which, the airline team that the flight attendants are examined regularly. And actually, their trying out presentations that they’re a fragment, they’re their transmission or they’re transmission virus having the Corona is a fragment of the overall inhabitants. So we all know that they’re they’re secure nevertheless it’s mainly minimizing any motion , inside the cabin. And you are going to see that , the meals is on, , the beverages and snacks are to your chair while you cross. They usually don’t have to come back and, and, and repair you and , in the meanwhile to get passenger competence again up I feel that’s excellent coverage. And we’ll simply must stay up for higher days when the vaccine is with us to get some excellent provider.

Juergen Steinmetz:
And thanks. After which there appear to have been rather a distinct, and a few folks would say extra complex approached in a, for example, within the Gulf area with Emirates, once they relaunched flights. I do know the primary flights they’d was once from Dubai to Tunisia, they’re marketed the place everybody had to get examined and stick a check of 10 mins. It takes 10 mins to do it like an hour or so earlier than the flight. So everyone seems to be, let’s say to 68% accuracy. So 68% is the danger that nobody has any of the viruses. So if Emirates can do that and keep it seems that additionally mandate other cleansing insurance policies than what we see in america. And this is identical with FTI, with Qatar airlines and lots of the carriers within the Gulf area. Why can’t we are living as much as that normal?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
So there are at this time no world requirements, there are other exams which might be being presented by way of other airways and other nations. What it boils all the way down to is truly the aim of the exams is undoubtedly if you’ll do this roughly check far and wide for, for 1.2 billion passengers that flew since January globally after all it will be ideally suited, however nearly talking in the case of price, and plenty of issues aren’t as no longer sensible sound imaginable nowadays, however trying out generation is unexpectedly advancing. As , with the, , you’ve noticed the other information. There, there are other exams are being completed now, which might in 5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins, you’re in a position to get the effects their, their antibody exams, exams, antigen exams, and viral exams which might be being completed, and they have got other accuracy ranges.

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
And the actual goal in the back of the ones exams is truly coping with this quarantine necessities. Hawaii has 14 days. In the event you are available in, , you need to cross to a room and, and for 14 days, mainly quarantine, neatly, when you’ve got a check that presentations you’re virus-free, then you’ll be able to do what you are promoting, consult with you with family members or, or, or cross about what you are promoting together with your holiday. So so at this time, what is occurring globally, and the root is occupied with Dennis referred to as 4 nations and governments to paintings in combination, to get a hold of a fast, scalable trying out usual can also be made me administered in order that the passenger can take that and cross to the vacation spot and no longer cross into quarantine.

Juergen Steinmetz:
And that’s without a doubt a good suggestion. And also you discussed Hawaii and it’s right here in the community, a large dialogue additionally in our native information, further Hawaii information on-line, the place we almost certainly going to hyperlink this podcast to a, since we’re now speaking about Hawaii, Hawaii is meant to be opening on October 15th. We now have been locked down right here. I’ve no longer traveled anyplace since March. Once I were given again from Germany from a non-existing Berlin at Berlin ITB. And after pronouncing it’s heartbreaking. And it stated for somebody like me, who lived right here for 30, some years, greater than part of my lifestyles, while you cross to paint Road in Waikiki, what’s in most cases humming with folks from everywhere the arena at any time, and you’ll actually sleep in the course of the, of colour automotive street, and almost certainly nobody would disturb you. So tourism is a big source of revenue think about many locations.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Hawaii is without a doubt one in all them, however then we, that suggests the folk right here in Hawaii invested dearly, whether or not it’s with cash once they’re, once they’re emotionally to stay this tape secure and there are lots of other evaluations, will have to we truly open up for tourism? Now, the most recent dialogue after it’s already determined that we’re seeking to have the pretesting, permitting folks from the United States mainland to come back right here with out going throughout the automotive and workforce that there will have to if truth be told be two exams at the Island of Hawaii, the large referred to as the Giant Island. It’s no longer taking part within the pretesting program. No, the mayor determined it’s no longer the time but. So while you traveled it to the Giant Island too, and you need to peer the volcano or cross to Kona, you continue to have to stick on your lodge room for 2 weeks. Now, the mayor from Hawaii stated, we, everyone acquire 15,000 of the followup trying out children.

Juergen Steinmetz:
And the governor stated, Oh, no, no, no, we can’t do this. In order that they’re combating Maui, Molly. They’re so annoyed that the mayor stated we simply recommending for each vacationer to get us 2d check, what does unrealistic or vacationers when they get you, they wish to cross to the seaside and no longer getting any other check. And he or she would possibly are stuck from Honolulu. I talked to the day prior to this, stated he would beef up a 2d check, however she doesn’t wish to make it necessary. And so the place do you stand? And what’s the 2d check and the place do you stand with having a 2d check?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Excellent thought. And it has to do with the incubation duration, proper? This can be a five-day, six-day incubation duration, the place if I am going get a change and no change which is a viral check and it takes 24 hours, , no matter to, to get, get the effects. Neatly, from the time I am getting the check to the time I am going to the price tag counter and get at the aircraft, , we all know we don’t know what has came about. So I perceive the worry concerning the passenger having been in that asymptomatic incubation duration, proper, the place it’s no longer very transparent whether or not this passenger has if truth be told the virus or no longer, however undoubtedly the ones, the ones viral exams are very extremely correct. When you’ve got it, it is going to display that you’ve got this virus 95% accuracy. In order that’s excellent.

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Now the purpose a couple of 2d check, which might be not obligatory for passengers is as you arrive at your, on your vacation spot, to Hawaii that, that, that can be an antibody check that you are taking that’s very rapid 10, 15 mins. And it is going to inform you , whether or not you’re inflamed after which you’ll use that to give you the executive to mention, I’m no longer inflamed, and I will cross to about my industry. In order that’s truly the dialog we, the root have referred to as out globally for a powerful and a, an efficient trying out regime, whether or not it’s one check or two exams, a mixture of 2 desks to take care of the problem of incubation, that’s truly the, that the, that what’s at stake and what’s being mentioned. And we recommend following what science is pronouncing and trumps of easy methods to just remember to reduce that, that the maximize mainly the theory of creating positive that there’s no one’s inflamed.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Cardboard the day prior to this about the second one trying out and the way he sees this he, he, he made a fascinating level. It’s not like while you get on this case to Hawaii after you’ve perhaps been examined two weeks, two days earlier than you left, and also you get an instantaneous check, you get a check and you’ve got to if truth be told stay up for a complete of 7 days between the 2 exams to make it efficient. Now, with a purpose to make this efficient, would then you suggest to the present workforce for the time in between that say, you get a check, you traveled 3 days, information, you cross to Hawaii, will have to you be on your Jeroboam for 4 days or in an effort to stroll round would possibly or Colquitt? I will inform you issues we will have to stroll round. And if you happen to had the virus, then we’ve touch tracers who can hint any person. What’s, after all no longer lifelike,

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
I’d simply say that we’d wish to have this coverage knowledgeable by way of science. And I feel, as I discussed, the incubation duration, this is, that’s the asymptomatic passenger who, who isn’t recognized, whether or not this passenger has the virus or no longer. It’s what science recently says. It’s for 5 days. So when you’ve got a check two days prior, your, your shuttle, that’s two days an afternoon of your shuttle. That’s 3 days, , any other two days probably be in quarantine till your 2d check, that, that mainly bookends proper [inaudible] section. And by way of taking that 2d check, then you can say, I wouldn’t have the virus as a result of you’ve gotten now handed that, that, that incubation duration however I’d once more, recommend and the flight protection basis advocates, letting the science dictate the regime that’s most efficient and workable,

Juergen Steinmetz:
Proper? And so let’s think you’ve gotten been examined, you get on an airplane, however if truth be told, you’re ill. You simply didn’t find out about it. What will have to occur to the remainder of the passengers are the remainder of the passengers and the team secure, as a result of there was once a being worried mess. And w the place can we stand with this?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Neatly in order I discussed, we’ve been tracking and taking a look during the last six months and the entire information and the entire instances, international, 1.2 billion passengers touring since January. And there was once a duration earlier than March, even all over March phrase face mask weren’t even necessary. And that got here later for lots of the airways. And what we’ve noticed is that you just wouldn’t have instances of the, of transmission on the airport or inside, inside the airplane. There are only a few verified instances that experience revealed and refereed journals that experience proven two or 3 instances early on impartial MC. So what we imagine has came about is with the entire hygiene and the programs which might be inside the airplane and mask w a layered manner for you’re mainly you’re minimizing the danger of transmission inside the airplane.

Juergen Steinmetz:
And we’re touring tourism, Collin. So the day prior to this at a dialogue we had, and you’ll if truth be told to find at the identical livestream.trip and on rebuilding.trip speak about, traveled bubbles in entrance of the trip above it. I feel they have got mentioned what’s between London and New York. Now, each London and New York are massive towns. A large number of folks would have the virus, you can’t keep away from it. So how are you able to have a secure trip bottle bubble between such two primary towns,

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Proper. And I feel this is precisely what isn’t at this time being labored by way of the United international locations IKO frame that is making an attempt to get a hold of international requirements of easy methods to create the ones trip bubbles or corridors. And as , there are a variety of gamers concerned on this and maximum vital gamers. Nowadays are governments and the well being organizations inside each and every of the governments, no longer essentially the civil aviation authority or in the usas the FAA, however the international, however CDC and different organizations. And they are going to must agree at the protocols of this trip to be sure that, that actually, if we’ve asymptomatic passengers which might be touring in that hall, that actually via exams pre or publish trip check we will decide if they have got the virus and if they have got the virus, they wouldn’t be capable of trip

Juergen Steinmetz:
It’s it, altogether, would you are saying going to extra, if you happen to sought after to trip, and I feel all of us do, all of us sought after to trip, however if you happen to do trip we’ve talked so much concerning the rebuilding of home and regional trip. That implies touring what won’t contain an airplane altogether, or only a brief flight, is that this a more secure factor to do, or doesn’t it truly make any distinction?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
I don’t suppose it makes any distinction. You understand, what we see with passengers via our surveys is that there are two issues. It’s a security fly if I am going to the airport and if I am getting at the plane, and the second one query is when I am getting to my vacation spot, am I caught? You understand, I imply, , if I wish to see my family members, or if I wish to be on, on holiday, I’m going to be caught. The ones are the 2 primary issues. And maximum passengers and folks aren’t interested in the second one phase, which is the power to do what you are promoting and, and cross about your lifestyles while you, while you get on your vacation spot. And that’s truly now the point of interest of those trip bubbles and check protocols to permit passengers once they arrive in an effort to loose, , to move and do their industry. In order that’s roughly the place, the place, what we’re seeing, and our research display.

Juergen Steinmetz:
So perhaps in the end, there’s been numerous communicate and numerous tasks in lots of portions of the arena about protecting folks in motels. I imply, all-inclusive hotel. I do know sandals, one in all our excellent buddies, staying power hotel in Jamaica has made this a project to stay their amenities as secure as they may be able to do beneath science in any usual. However it’s recommending could also be without delay or not directly for folks to not go away the hotel. I do know even right here in Hawaii motels at the Island of Hawaii are have been seeking to override the trip present teenager requirement so long as folks keep in motels going into Amman Jordan that has been attempted with Aqaba as a hotel town and Seychelles even is going a step additional. And when persons are inflamed and dig it examined in a hotel, they have got different motels the place those inflamed folks can if truth be told keep in combination and nonetheless revel in their holiday. Neatly, what do you consider all of this?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Neatly, I’m no longer positive if I’m the, I’ve experience in, in motels. My area is air trip, however I see your level. And I feel that as we cross down this trail, I feel that we want to create an atmosphere and protocols to be sure that we arrange the virus and we don’t finally end up trans , having transmission of the virus. And there are other methods by which you’ll reach that. And what we wish to do is do it in this kind of method that it’s no longer a burden. And it’s, it’s, it’s knowledgeable by way of science and it’s knowledgeable by way of sensible tactics by which you have to make sure that when you’ve got an asymptomatic , a traveler that, that traveler is understood, we’ve touch tracing, and we’re in a position to isolate that particular and stay the remainder of the traveler secure.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Thanks such a lot. And this was once rather an interesting lesson you gave everybody. So what’s your, what’s your ultimate recommendation? What do you need folks to understand? How, w the place are we going to move from right here with our, with, with the aviation business?

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
Neatly, I feel that as there, there’s a giant have an effect on on international aviation and did analysis on some, a few of these hotspots world wide, as you’ve gotten noticed within the information isn’t serving to the placement. One of the most airways are suffering. And so what we wish to see, optimistically very, very quickly a vaccine that will likely be to be had to everyone on a, on a large scale. And in the meantime, for vacationers that want to trip to peer their family members, or cross on a holiday, if you happen to observe the golden laws that we have got revealed on our web site, which has commonplace sense, together with carrying mask, you are going to have a secure adventure and you’ll cross and consult with your family members,

Juergen Steinmetz:
Physician Shashi, D. This was once very attention-grabbing, optimistically, we will pay attention from you once more very quickly. And so you’ll stay us up to date about what’s occurring together with your group, with the flight protection basis, and the aviation business normally. Thanks very a lot. And we are saying Mahalo from right here, and optimistically, we’ll be in contact as neatly. K. So I reduce this off, however so thanks such a lot. I recognize it. And optimistically, you’ll check out rebuilding dock trip. Perhaps it’s one thing one in all your workforce participants if you happen to don’t have time, however any person may just sign up for. I feel it’s excellent to proceed this dialogue.

Dr. Hassan Shahidi:
It was once this informative.

Juergen Steinmetz:
Sure. Neatly, thanks such a lot, and thanks once more, and optimistically, we’ll be in contact evidently. Nice to fulfill you. Take care. Thanks. Bye-bye.

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