Post by mccallister84 on May 29, 2020 14:26:56 GMT -5
We were supposed to go visit my in laws on 4/1. Needless to say that didn’t happen. We had rebooked for the last week in July.
I am really torn about what to do. It would be H and me and our 3 and 2 year olds. Until about half an hour ago I was like there’s no way we are getting on a plane in July. But then I read what Southwest is doing, especially the part with middle seats being empty, but that’s only until July 31. And my sister is a nurse practitioner who works in a hospital and the other day she said they are preparing for the fall to be really bad. So if we don’t go now when do we go? Not until there’s a vaccine? It has already been a year since we have seen FIL or H’s one sister. MIL did fly out twice this year so at least we’ve seen her but she’s really down about the thought of not seeing the girls for an extended period of time. I think I would be comfortable with them flying to see us, but I don’t know how we can say hey we aren’t comfortable getting on a plane but you should definitely take that risk yourself. I also could send H solo, which would be something, but I know they really, really want to see the girls.
Sorry for the brain dump. As others have said as things begin opening up, this gets harder and harder to navigate. Just looking to see where others thoughts are on this.
Well, it's all about precautions. This is kind of a moot point for me because I don't have any plans to fly and H feels really strongly about flying, but I think I would if I needed to or wanted to badly enough. Wear a mask, wash hands often in the airport. Are they requiring masks on the plane? The circulation/filtration system of the plane is designed to NOT spread respiratory illness so it's the passengers in your immediate vicinity you'd have to worry about. Obviously a shorter flight is better. I saw an article that showed the relative safety of each seat and window seats were safest (farther from someone walking down the aisles). Anyway, that's a lot of rambling to say I don't think it's entirely reckless to fly with a lot of precautions taken.
I won’t be going on an airline for pleasure any time soon, but I would if I had an immediate reason to see family. We won’t be flying to see my family this summer, but we hope my parents might drive down at some point later in the summer. But if they had health concerns or there was some pressing reason, I would (just me though, not my husband or son).
It’s still too much contact with too many people for too long a period of time.
ETA: also, my six year old absolutely can’t tolerate wearing a mask for that long, and it would be a constant battle to get him to keep it on without touching it and messing with it. Many kids are much better about it than mine is, but it might be something to consider since your kids are so young.
I have made peace with not seeing my mom or uncle for 6 months to a year. I am very sad but I cannot justify a social visit right now. If there was an emergency I would go alone but I won't put my kids on a flight right now.
I wouldn’t fly, nor would I want my parents to fly to us.
One of the cases here locally was from a grandma who flew to visit her daughter and grandkids. She quarantined before coming but came down with symptoms about 5 days after flying and the daughter and grandkids also were positive a few days later. So, likely she got it on her trip.
I think you just need to weigh the risk vs. seeing family. We likely won’t see anyone this year. It’s a huge bummer but for us not worth the risk. Your situation may differ, but honestly only you and your family can determine that.
Post by wanderingback on May 29, 2020 15:20:39 GMT -5
I don't have kids, so I can't speak to that aspect, but I would be ok flying. I took a 2 hour train ride last week, which I know is different than a plane, but I felt fine. We typically go see my partner's family once a year in the UK, so would be going sometime this year, but we haven't really talked about it since our lives are in upheaval for a variety of reasons, so not sure if him or both of us will go. One of my colleagues (physician) flew to visit family this week as it was their week of vacation and couldn't get it changed and has been working non-stop.
I think if people are contemplating this then the less people that travel/fly then less people are exposed. So in the case of having 1 person fly vs a family of 4 it makes sense for 1 person to fly. It also makes sense for people over the age of 65 to not fly.
Post by Leeham Rimes on May 29, 2020 15:24:56 GMT -5
I think it’s going to be a crap shoot. You could have a flight with less people and social distancing but you might not. I have read that since fewer people are traveling there are fewer flights, so the flights are more crowded than one would think.
Here’s this article written by a person that recently flew. I’ve read a few that just regurgitate what airlines *say* they’ll do but this one is a first hand experience.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
Post by dutchgirl678 on May 29, 2020 15:27:05 GMT -5
wanderingback, when you travel by train there are typically windows that can be opened so there is some air flow from outside. I think I would be ok with a train ride if it wasn't too long. But I wouldn't fly right now if I didn't have to, probably not until next year at the earliest.
I don't think I would. I actually think flying is one of the last things I want to add back, as much as it pains me to say. You just have no control over who is sitting near you, and how close they are. Even with a middle seat empty, you still have people in front of and behind you, and the person on the other side of the middle seat is still only maybe 3 feet away. If any of those people are sick or unknowingly carrying the virus, you are sharing air with them for multiple hours and that just seems to risky. And it's not like you can just get up and leave like you might in a restaurant or even in an office. You're basically stuck sitting next to strangers and there is nothing you can do about it.
I have no family anywhere near me - the shortest road trip I could take to see anyone is 13 hours. So I definitely understand the desire to see family. My parents are retired, so they are considering driving up here at some point. It's like a 24 hour drive so I can't see us ever making the trip - we'd have to take too many days off work. But they could take their time and stay longer, too. If they don't do that, I don't know when I'll see a family member again. I hate it. My grandmother is old and my niece and nephew are at really fun ages, so it kills me to miss time with them. But it would be worse if they got sick due to my travel, IMO.
I may, of course, change my mind later in the year if there is any indication that things have changed. I am hoping by Christmas things are better, but I am basing that idea on exactly nothing other than hope - I don't think there is any science indicating this. Maybe we'll consider driving down then if it really comes to that. I don't know.
Post by mccallister84 on May 29, 2020 15:49:57 GMT -5
It's just so hard to know what the right thing is to do - on paper, sure don't fly and everyone stays healthy - that obviously makes a lot of sense. But then when I really start thinking about it it becomes more and more grey.
I just google mapped it and it's a 24 hour drive. That's not really a feasible option either.
At least we don't have to make any decisions today.
wanderingback , when you travel by train there are typically windows that can be opened so there is some air flow from outside. I think I would be ok with a train ride if it wasn't too long. But I wouldn't fly right now if I didn't have to, probably not until next year at the earliest.
I have been putting off (with my dr’s blessing) my bi-annual MRI for surveillance of my brain tumor. My original exam was for April. I would have to fly from ATL to HOU.
I just checked in with my dr yesterday and it has been pushed back once more. According to my medical team, “restrictions MD Anderson has for Georgia, is for Atlanta. You must self quarantine for 14 day prior to your appointment”.
Either way, I would think long and hard about flying considering my pre-existing conditions and the fact that I’m going to a cancer center where I could expose other more vulnerable than I.
We’re planning on driving if restrictions don’t lift.
We’re planning to fly in early August if we’re able. Direct 2-hour flight on Alaska. My family and our friend’s family will take up two rows. We’ll reevaluate as it gets closer.
What if you each drive halfway and do an air BnB for a week? The only exposure would be three restroom stops if you eat in the car and drive straight through.
We are DINKS who had Covid in late March on the east coast and we will fly 2hrs around July 4th and likely again for Labor Day, husbands birthday. We are in phase 1 in my metro area and I live downtown and it looks busy, today was the first day.
What if you each drive halfway and do an air BnB for a week? The only exposure would be three restroom stops if you eat in the car and drive straight through.
That’s not a horrible idea. Although 12 hours in the car with the girls and a week stuck in one house with my FIL may be the end of me.
What if you each drive halfway and do an air BnB for a week? The only exposure would be three restroom stops if you eat in the car and drive straight through.
That’s not a horrible idea. Although 12 hours in the car with the girls and a week stuck in one house with my FIL may be the end of me.
What's the plan if you visit them at home, though? I honestly dont see it being safe to do a bunch of usual vacation activities this year anyway, so sitting around their house vs sitting around an airbnb might not make a lot of difference.
Post by imojoebunny on May 29, 2020 17:25:30 GMT -5
I have several flight attendant friends, and some friends who have had to fly to take care of various family and work obligations. If you wear a mask, and everyone else does, too, I feel like it is one of the safer group things you can do. Airlines have a lot of power to make people fall in line, for safety, unlike something like a movie theater, and planes already have much better air filtration than most places. My decision would be based on the amount of social distancing your family and you can do in advance of the trip, and the amount of covid in those areas. We decided today, not to drive to see my family because my parents are somewhat resuming life as normal, and visiting with my family members, many of whom work in the medical field, and I would lose my mind trapped in the house with my mother for any length of time, without other things to do. I know, if we went, my mom would want everyone to gather to see us, and I am not comfortable with that. Given the number of cases in our area, and the rising rates in their area, though it hasn't been hit as hard, I am not comfortable visiting, but am comfortable renting a house somewhere else, and spending a week there, where we can easily distance from others, but still do activities, like swim. I am waiting on real public health data to come out, and we have the luxury to do so, unlike many who are heading back to work and offices, about how it is spread (airborne I know, but how and why it hits some groups so hard, is still a mystery. Like 40 people got it from a graduation party here, but there have been other large gatherings, and it wasn't transmitted), what mitigations truly help, and some evidence based treatment.
That’s not a horrible idea. Although 12 hours in the car with the girls and a week stuck in one house with my FIL may be the end of me.
What's the plan if you visit them at home, though? I honestly dont see it being safe to do a bunch of usual vacation activities this year anyway, so sitting around their house vs sitting around an airbnb might not make a lot of difference.
Definitely make a huge difference if it’s an Air BNB with a pool, or has access to walking/hiking trails!
This has been weighing heavily on my mind. I desperately want to go visit my grandmother. She’s 100 and I’m afraid if I wait I may never see her again. But also afraid if I go I’ll make her sick.
That’s not a horrible idea. Although 12 hours in the car with the girls and a week stuck in one house with my FIL may be the end of me.
What's the plan if you visit them at home, though? I honestly dont see it being safe to do a bunch of usual vacation activities this year anyway, so sitting around their house vs sitting around an airbnb might not make a lot of difference.
We’d circulate through H’s sisters as well. Plus we don’t stay a week. Usually we fly in Wednesday and fly back Sunday. That wouldn’t work with the drive.
My lack of desire to spend a full week cooped up with my FIL won’t be the deciding factor regardless.
I’m torn on this too, I have flights to Ireland from Boston in mid August booked for me and the kids. I thought maybe I should change it to Christmas to be safe. But then I thought like you said, what if in August things are kind of “ok” but by Christmas it’s terrible again and I can’t fly then?! Ugh it’s so hard to know what to do.
My dad has an autoimmune disease putting him in a riskier than average category. I know he and my mom desperately want to see the kids and might suggest we go even if deep down he’s worried about the risk.
No, I will not flying anytime soon. Remember when they were going to leave the middle seat open? Yeah, that's not happening. You are basically sitting on the laps of the flyers next to you, in front and behind you. I do not trust them to clean the planes either. Big old no for me.
You guys have a lot more faith in airlines to do the right thing instead of the dollar thing!
Maybe but there is some overlap right now. The sooner they can implement measures that make people feel safe, the sooner they can ramp back up. Empty middle seats probably cost less than empty planes.
I wouldn't. It's one of the last things I will feel comfortable doing. In your case, I'd meet halfway and stay at an airbnb. You could stay the night somewhere if you don't want to drive straight through. I'd do that before I got on a plane.