Date: 202101
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Primary problem: Environment - Non Weather Related

Narrative: After I briefed the A Flight Attendant; she asked if I would be wearing a mask whenever they came in the cockpit for a lavatory break.  I informed her as per our protocol I am not required and for operational safety reasons I do not wear my mask in the cockpit. She then informed me that they would not enter to give us a break unless I wore a mask.  I then initiated calls to Dispatch and Operations to inform them of this problem.  I understand their concerns and respect their decision.   Yet; I do not understand why they would take issue with cockpit members facing forward and unmasked when they are continuously exposed to passengers in the cabin who have their mask off while eating or drinking as well as children who are not required to have a mask.On a recent flight my First Officer and I had a hard time understanding the ATC Controller due to the muffled sound because they were wearing a mask.  It is also difficult understanding a First Officer who is wearing a mask in the loud cockpit environment.  Safety of flight is my priority followed by mission and passengers.  I regret the inconvenience this brought to passengers and company alike but this difference in protocol needs to be resolved without imposing non safety operational constraints on the cockpit.   I realize this is a novel disease and the information from the CDC and NIH [National Institutes of Health] is at times confusing and conflicting but believe that we should not take information to extremes and compromise operational safety.Lack of cohesive policy between Cockpit and Flight Attendant protocols that plays between personal concerns over operational safety.  I also feel misinformation or agenda also play a role on differences regarding relative issues.Keep the current Pilot protocol which works well and imposes minimal restrictions regarding operational safety.  Clarify Flight Attendant protocols so they do not conflict with the cockpit.   To each individual this pandemic is relative and emotional.  Any preconceived or personal perception cannot be satisfied by one fits all protocols; so I believe individuals overly concerned should be required to get the vaccine.  I will at the earliest opportunity get vaccinated for myself; family and coworkers.




Synopsis: Air carrier Captain reported a Flight Attendant stated they would not enter the cockpit for pilot break unless pilots were wearing a face mask. Captain described some the communication issues related to wearing a face mask.