Southwest CEO Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Testifying About Masks At Senate Hearing

After testifying at a Senate hearing that masks do not add protection to airline passengers, the CEO of Southwest Airlines tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

Gary Kelly, who is fully vaccinated, has mild symptoms and is resting at home. He received a booster shot earlier this year, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed. 

“Although testing negative multiple times prior to the Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, Gary tested positive for COVID-19 after returning home, experiencing mild symptoms, and taking a PCR test,” Southwest said, according to CNN. 

Kelly testified unmasked at the hearing on Wednesday. He told the committee that he does not believe masks afford passengers any added protection. He expressed that it is “very safe” compared with other indoor settings. 

Masks are currently mandated on airplanes and in airports. The federal policy has been extended into March.

At the hearing, which lasted about three hours, Kelly was seated between American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. Kirby tested negative, and Parker is getting tested but remains symptom-free. Others who were near Kelly have been notified of his positive test.