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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help! Do I cancel surprise trip?

172 replies

hoolydooly · 02/02/2020 11:13

Sorry in advance for another coronavirus thread! Struggling with a decision and wondering if people can help me decide...

So, one week from now we are due to go on a trip to Japan, booked last September. DH and I lived there many moons ago and I booked this as a surprise - a huge surprise as we're more "camping in Cornwall" types rather than big international jetsetters! Going with 4 children in tow (youngest age 5).

Enter coronavirus. Japan has 20 cases so far. They are asking Japanese nationals they have repatriated to self-quarantine, rather than imposing quarantine as we have in the UK. Japan gets huge numbers of Chinese tourists, and has only restricted entry to those from Hubei province. According to this map (gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6) there are 5k cases elsewhere in China.

If we do go, we will be in Tokyo for a few days and will likely come into contact with a lot of travellers from China. I want to stress I am in no way being racist here (I have seen accusations of racism being bandied about on other threads). It's just a fact that there are more cases in China right now, so contact with Chinese travellers poses more of a risk.

So...now I am worried. I can't discuss with DH as he doesn't know about the trip! I really don't want to cancel. We'd get no money back, and it cost a fortune! But the thought of something happening to our children (or us) is giving me pause for thought. I suffer from health anxiety so perhaps I am worrying too much.

What do you think?

YABU = you're being silly, go and enjoy yourself
YANBU = not worth the risk - cancel your trip

If IABU, please be gentle! ;-)

OP posts:
Antihop · 02/02/2020 11:16

Let the government and international institutions decide of it's safe to travel there.

Twooter · 02/02/2020 11:17

Depends on health of you all, ages of children, FO advice, whether you have sufficient travel health insurance

DisplayPurposesOnly · 02/02/2020 11:18

It's time to spring the surprise on your husband, so you can discuss this together. It'll still be a big surprise - I'd be pretty shocked if someone told me i was going to Japan next week Grin

Lazydaisydaydream · 02/02/2020 11:18

I know you want it to be a surprise but I think you should discuss it with your husband and see how he feels about traveling at the moment?

LostInTesco · 02/02/2020 11:19

Do any of you have pre existing health conditions that would make coronavirus a more significant threat to you?

If not, I would go.

Original poster
hoolydooly · 02/02/2020 11:19

Children aged 5-12. No underlying conditions. Health insurance.

OP posts:
LostInTesco · 02/02/2020 11:20

Then go, take lots of hand gel, and be mindful of washing your hands regularly

Stompythedinosaur · 02/02/2020 11:20

I think I'd still go. But I think in would tell your dh and discuss it together.

fussygalore118 · 02/02/2020 11:20

I agree, I think now is the time to discuss it with your husband and make the decision together x

Original poster
hoolydooly · 02/02/2020 11:20

Oh, and I should add that I am the worrier of the two of us, so if I am happy to go, he will be too. It's not like he will be shocked and worried about going if I am willing to, so that's not my concern.

Really want to keep the surprise as I had such a cool way of letting him know!

OP posts:
Jiggles101 · 02/02/2020 11:22

I'd definitely go in this situation - you could get hit by a bus tomorrow, worrying achieves nothing so go and have fun!

PrimeYesterday · 02/02/2020 11:23

Discuss with DH, he deserves a say in it. No point going if you’re just going to be constantly worried about being near Chinese or other Asians, you won’t relax or enjoy the holiday.

Strugglingtoquit · 02/02/2020 11:23

I agree you need to tell DH about the trip so you can discuss together whether you still want to go

If none of you have any pre-existing health issues then I’d say to follow WHO and government travel advice about whether it’s safe to travel , which may change over the next week.

Ohjustboreoff · 02/02/2020 11:26

I would definitely go. I've lived in Japan too and is very clean, a lot of people wear face masks anyway so I'm sure you'll get even more people wearing them. Take gallons of hand gel, maybe some masks in case, wash hands and enjoy. I'm so jealous would love to go back 🇯🇵.

AFirst · 02/02/2020 11:26

I would go and I wouldn't tell him. It's such a cool thing to do.

Limpshade · 02/02/2020 11:29

Go! There are 18 cases here in Singapore and it still feels very safe. All of the cases are people who have travelled from Wuhan. There have been no cases of the virus passing to someone who has not travelled to Wuhan themselves. And we are a very, very small island! I'm sure Japan would feel equally as safe.

okiedokieme · 02/02/2020 11:29

Go!

CameFromAway · 02/02/2020 11:32

Definitely go! What an amazing trip for you all.

Original poster
hoolydooly · 02/02/2020 11:35

Ooh, am starting to get excited again having read a few "Go!" messages. Been 15 years since we were last there and I was so looking forward to it...

OP posts:
TanteRose · 02/02/2020 11:38

Come on over!
It's fine - get good travel insurance.

The health care in Japan is very good especially in Tokyo but you will need insurance.
Hand sanitizer is a must as well.
Lovely clear crisp winter weather here at the moment too Smile

BumbleBeee69 · 02/02/2020 11:40

No... but I'm a worrier OP... PLEASE tell your Husband .. talk it through together... Flowers

terriblyangryattimes · 02/02/2020 11:43

I'd go. But, I'd come clean with your husband now so that you can discuss and prepare together

northernlittledonkey · 02/02/2020 11:43

Yes, go. If there's travel advice not to go you'll get refunded through travel insurance. Otherwise go, it'll be amazing. How were you going to tell him?

Gizlotsmum · 02/02/2020 11:44

Is there anyway you could sound him out without giving away the trip? A friend considering it with kids what would he advise? Or just a general chat about travelling there following a news report?

collywobblescar · 02/02/2020 11:44

I think you need to tell him to be honest, it'll still be a surprise but you need to make the decision together