Visiting DD &DGC by train - WWYD?

[Grandmaok]

My DD and DGC live 5 hours away by train. En route I stop off in London, use the underground and get another train South.
I’m over 60 and have high blood pressure but it’s controlled pretty well on medication. I’m missing everyone so much and normally would just go but with all the coronavirus worry I’m not sure if I’d be over cautious to not go or under cautious to risk it? I would be going in a few weeks time. Both DGC are school age. I am totally undecided.

I would go. Absolutely nothing in your OP suggests you should avoid travelling to see family at this time.

Why make up your mind now?

Thanks Dinosauraddict I usually travel regardless and am pretty laid back but must confess the coronavirus talk has started to get to me.

Copperas that’s a good point. I could book a train a few days before going so I would have more time to see how the situation was looking. I’m used to booking in advance but a last minute booking makes more sense.

My mum has started to wear her gloves on public transport which I thought was quite good. And I try not to be on the underground at peak time to stop people breathing on me (which I hate anyway!)

Gloves as in, germ reservoirs that you don't wash several times a day?
No, not clever.

Take them off, bung in washing machine. Not saying wear them all day

You could skip the underground bit and take a taxi

grumpy that’s a thought. Didn’t think of skipping the tube part of the journey . I think unless there’s a major problem with trains (which does happen though) neither should be packed if I keep clear of peak times.

@forrestgreen are you going to wash them every time you touch something you aren't sure about? Like you can wash your hands?

Whilst gloves may be "germ reservoirs", they do act as a good reminder not to touch your face.

I would go but take sensible precautions. Don't eat food with your hands, make something in advance that you can eat with a fork. Get a taxi across London, or walk if it isn't too far. Wash hands frequently.

At this point, I would go, but choose off-peak, less busy trains and use a taxi or walk across London. There is a map you can search for online that will give you walking times between underground stations - the familiar map is not to scale and some (Kings X and Euston for example) are much closer to walk between than you might think.

It may be that at some point this kind of travel is advised against, so keep an eye on the news. Also, decide what your plans would be if you have to self-isolate whilst you are there or are unable to travel back when you originally planned.

I wouldn't get too hung up on gloves vs no gloves when most people are putting their phones down, washing their hands then picking their phones back up again. I've not seen anyone pushing wiping phones over with anything.

I think avoiding peak times and possibly getting a taxi for the tube part of the journey sounds sensible. I wouldn't fret about the outward journey too much as the situation is likely to be worse for your return trip but you'll have to get back.

Thanks everyone. The taxi idea is a really good one as it’s the tube that will be the most ‘peopley’ part of the journey.

Which station do you arrive at, and then which do you leave from to go to DD?

Might help to remember that the tube journey that you described is a part of very many people's everyday life. Including many of us of similar age/health.

Freda arrive at Kings Cross. Tube to Liverpool Street and overground from there.

TooDamnSarky I know and I understand that for many people the underground isn’t a choice and they are dependent on it to earn a living and generally get from a to b. On this occasion though I would be travelling for something non essential and other than missing family a lot I don’t have to go. I’m very lucky living somewhere much quieter than London I know.