Delta 'investigating' after Republican Sen. Roger Wicker spotted not wearing mask on flight

Sen. Roger Wicker was seen on a Delta flight with his mask pulled down to his chin for most of a trip from Atlanta to Jackson, Mississippi.

A photo of the Mississippi Republican on the Thursday flight was tweeted by Matt Harringer, who works for an advertising and media company in Washington, D.C.

“I’ve seen enough Republican senators test positive to tweet this photo," Harringer tweeted. "@SenatorWicker – because you refused to wear a mask on our @Delta flight last night, please let your fellow passengers know your status once you’ve been tested."

The senator’s communications director, Rick VanMeter, told USA TODAY that Wicker "lowered his face mask to eat a snack and forgot to put it back up. When he was reminded by a flight attendant, he put the mask back up."

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But Harringer said Wicker was not wearing his mask before the plane took off and told USA TODAY he doesn't believe Wicker covered his nose after the flight attendant asked him to put it back on.

Harringer also took pictures of Wicker at various points of the flight with his mask on his chin.

Harringer said he told the woman sitting in front of Wicker that she should get tested for the virus because the senator didn't wear his mask for the majority of the flight.

According to Harringer, Wicker was "very surprised" he called him out and asked why Harringer didn't tell him to put his mask on earlier.

VanMeter did not address whether the senator had been tested for COVID-19 but said Wicker "did not attend any recent events at the White House and has not been in contact with any of the individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days."

Harringer waited 24 hours before tweeting the image of Wicker, saying that it wasn't until Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who both serve on a committee with Wicker, tested positive for COVID-19.

"I think the people on the plane deserve to know" the results of Wicker's coronavirus test "if he's hanging out with a bunch of people who are positive and not going to wear a mask," Harringer said.

Delta Airlines says it’s investigating the incident in response to Harringer’s tweet.

"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people and our customers," the airline said. "We take our mask policy seriously and are investigating this incident."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sen. Roger Wicker maskless on Delta flight as GOP faces COVID outbreak