Best-selling conservative author David J. Harris Jr. held up an entire American Airlines flight on Saturday, claiming he could not wear a face mask due to medical reasons – and then saying American could not ask about his conditions because it violated his HIPAA rights.
Harris laid out his concerns in a video shot while he was still on board the plane and posted to his Instagram account.
“So because I declared that I have a medical reason to not wear a mask, people on the plane are tripping out and may not want to fly on this plane,” Harris said. “There are a couple [fellow passengers] that are definitely having an issue, me not wearing a mask.”
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American Airlines policy states that “a face-covering is required while flying on American, except for very young children or anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing one.”
But Harris said he declined to divulge his condition as he felt it violated his personal and medical protections under The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
“If you have a medical reason, you do not have to comply. There are lots of conditions on the list. Know your rights! Know the truth! And please know, unless you’re wearing an N95 mask, any cloth covering or ear loop will not stop you from getting it!”
