United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Whistleblower slams TSA virus response
The TSA is culpable in aiding the spread of Covid-19 by not protecting its workforce, a whistleblower alleges.
It didn’t provide enough protective gear for frontline airport screeners, said Jay Brainard, a senior TSA official in Kansas.
The agency did not train staff and managers were banned from giving out masks to workers.
"I have no doubt whatsoever that our people became Typhoid Marys and contributed to the spread of the virus because TSA senior leadership did not make sure (screeners) were adequately protected," Jay Brainard told The Associated Press.
Brainard lodged an official complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, which ordered Homeland Security to start an investigation.
The agency apparently had a stockpile of masks back in March but would not give them out to screeners as there was a general shortage of them at the time.
TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said masks were only optional at the start of the virus outbreak in the US, but then made them mandatory at airports in May.
Brainard says there has been little or no contract tracing when a TSA worker became sick.
The TSA says more than 700 of its employees have tested positive for Covid-19 and five have died.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel