Would you fly with COVID

[wannabetraveler]

We have a family trip planned for Saturday; transatlantic to see family. My parents haven't seen our kids in a couple of years and it was a chance to really show the kids my home country. this is a big trip with multiple stops (I think 7 different hotels in two countries over a period of 3 weeks) costing around $15K and a year in the planning. Car rental, train tickets, excursions, etc.

My son (primary aged) just tested positive for COVID. Full vaccinated of course. Mild symptoms.

I called the airline and they no longer do COVID-related change fee waivers. COVID is no longer considered a national health emergency. I'm of the opinion that we test on Friday evening and if he's negative, we go ahead and travel (masked, of course.) If he's positive and/or feeling unwell, we see if two of us can delay by 2-3 days and the rest of us go ahead as planned. My husband thinks we should postpone or cancel (until when, I don't know.) Travel insurance doesn't cover cancellation for illness (yes, major cockup on my part.)

I'll be honest, I don't really consider COVID a big deal now; we are all fully vaxxed and wear masks whenever we feel unwell. I don't think the risks of masked travel are high enough to cancel the trip.

What would you do?

I honestly don't believe all the people who say there's no way they would travel in OP's situation and lose all that money.

I don't either.

At least, I don't believe they'd actually do it. They might genuinely think they would and therefore not be lying. But it's one of those things that's much easier to say than do.

Covid isn’t going anywhere, it’s horrible for some , yes (it def caused some long term issues for me), but any virus can harm someone who is immunosuppressed, surely.
i rue the day I caught it, but you pays your money, you take your choice. I’d go.

They don't want people in who have covid or dragging themselves in feeling ill
I have a reasonable adjustment to WFH, or have a separate room but we have a colleague who has a young child undergoing cancer treatment and they've always been quite strict about it. We've also had 2 members of staff die with covid

Having been hospitalised multiple times with a cold last year, and advised I'm extremely vulnerable to Covid, I'd go. Can you even get travel insurance that covers you against a positive Covid test now given you're allowed to fly with one?

Yes I'd go! I wouldn't bother testing again, It will have been a good 5+ days by the time you fly

Agree with this. Bound to be other people on that flight with various viruses including covid. Every flight I've taken in the last couple of years there's been people with a cough (we definitely notice it these days!) I'd mask up and go.

I was buying some recently and did look at the covid aspects. They all seemed to reference illness and cancellation due to rule changes. Didn't see anything about paying if you choose to cancel in the event of a positive test without being too ill to fly, but then I wasn't looking for it. Maybe it's one of those things you can insure against if you're willing to pay through the nose.

@SpringIntoChaos I don't think I'm being a dick. OP says mild symptoms so why would you go to covid 🤷🏼‍♀️. I don't know anyone who tests anymore as no one has any tests kicking about.

All these people talking about those being immunosuppressed I get it but if you are going on a plane where there are no covid rules there could possibly be people carrying it. 95% of the people on the plane won't have tested. Don't think that makes me a dick but just trying to use common sense 🤷🏼‍♀️.

Oh and I have parents with underlying conditions and know that covid could be worse for them but they are also realistic about daily life now. You don't get paid to isolate, people have no choice but to crack on

Update: we did fly. My son was feeling much better by the time we flew. I'm so glad we continued with our plans.

Pleased for you! Sensible approach.

I wouldn’t fly if I was testing positive, or my child. So waiting if necessary would be my choice.
I’m vaccinated and had Covid seven months ago for the first time. I was really unwell and it took me months to recover, exhaustion and brain fog afterwards that is still not totally resolved. The links now emerging on Covid causing diabetes, in children as well as adults, are only one of many longer term concerns from even mild infections. I wouldn’t want to risk passing that on knowingly. It may feel like “just a cold” for many people but the possible health conditions linked are not. Stroke risk is higher for six months post Covid for instance.

OP, you are right that it's not a big deal, which makes me wonder why you tested your child in the first place! Just stop testing, carry on as normal, and enjoy your trip.

Just go

Why test if you aren't going to do anything about it?