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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sensible opinions please! (Sorry another Coronavirus one)

87 replies

TravelBump · 27/02/2020 17:02

So much scaremongering going on alongside some sensible cautionary advice. With the greatest of respect, if you are a prepper, or someone who is particularly hyper-anxious about things, please don't post. Each to their own and all that but I am looking for a broad view from the balanced and sensible majority (I will probably get flamed for suggesting preppers aren't sensible but hey).

Am I BU to think that as long as sensible precautions are taken it is okay for a pregnant women to book a holiday for mid March?? (2nd trimester) Certain sensible precautions must be:
Obviously not travelling to areas the UK gov are advising not to travel to (China, Korea, Italy etc).
Obviously:

  • having good expensive insurance policy
  • choosing a less crowded area to holiday in
  • avoiding Corona hotspots (as well as Zika)
  • adhering to NHS / Gov advice on handwashing, hand gel, not touching face and eyes etc
  • avoiding sitting in close proximity to people sneezing / coughing where possible
  • checking FO travel advice updates regularly
  • ensuring holiday is refundable just in case advice changes

According to the advice, airplane air is less dangerous than air on a bus or tube train because it is filtered. Viruses and bacteria are filtered out and the air is mixed with fresh air every 2 mins. The main way you catch a virus is by being in close proximity to someone who is ill and droplets getting into your system through unprotected coughing, sneezing and touching of fluids.

So, sensible people, I am interested in the general consensus here. For context, I should add that this will be a long-awaited and yearned for holiday after a very difficult year or so, and due to husband's annual leave logistics it will be the last opportunity for at least the rest of this year. However, I don't want to go if it really is stupid to consider it.

AIBU?
YABU - Do not consider a holiday
YANBU - Book the holiday following sensible precautions

OP posts:
Ouchaheadinmybehind · 27/02/2020 17:44

check the FO office advice, don't travel anywhere on the no-go list and take precautions

But surely the risk is that you fly to an area that is okay but, whilst you are there, is suddenly added to the list.
Didn’t you already post asking this? Only you can decide if you are comfortable going.

Original poster
TravelBump · 27/02/2020 17:46

@Parker231 I get the tube everyday also - I forgot to mention that. Airports / planes don't really feel that different to Moorgate station every morning...

OP posts:
OneOfManyDays · 27/02/2020 17:46

I'm pretty sensible with these sorts of things and travel often for work. Given that my company has decided travel is now too risky (except totally business critical) I'm applying the same level of caution for now. Mid-March is only a few weeks away and the virus is spreading quite quickly to different hotspots and its just very uncertain at the moment. Plus the travel insurance T&Cs would need to be read with a detailed-eye as many won't cover certain costs. I'd be worried about getting quaratined somewhere as this seems more likely than actually catching the virus itself. Being in the second trimester I wouldn't risk it - I'm not risking it and I'm not pregnant!

SpeedofaSloth · 27/02/2020 17:46

I would just check your travel insurance is comprehensive, and go.
I think you may have to accept the risk of being quarantined if the situation changes, I guess.

TheVanguardSix · 27/02/2020 17:50

I think you made up your mind before you even wrote this thread. Enjoy your holiday and good luck. I hope it goes smoothly.

swingchandelier · 27/02/2020 17:51

What are you even asking? You’ve made up your mind that it’s safe and anyone that doesn’t agree is a crazy maniac.

My worry would be getting stuck quarantined and pregnant abroad.

IrmaFayLear · 27/02/2020 17:53

The OP did post this yesterday (I'm spending too much time on MN!). Why are you asking if you are determined to go? I think people are right to urge caution. These are not normal circumstances. You just don't know where it's going to strike and, even if you are confident you won't get it, you can't control what measures may be put in place to stop the spread, ie prevention of your return to UK from wherever you are.

Shoppingwithmother · 27/02/2020 17:53

I think the problem is that it’s all very well to say you wouldn’t book somewhere in one of the problem areas, but a few days ago nobody thought Northern Italy was a problem.

TitanicWasAGreatMovie · 27/02/2020 17:56

Echoing the fear of getting stuck somewhere and ending up in quarantine, or struggling to get back.

But, with that in mind, plus sensible precautions in general I’d say go if you want to.

crustycrab · 27/02/2020 17:57

"Predicted" 😂 ffs.

Just go if you want to and don't if you don't. Either one is the "sensible" option depending on how you look at it. You don't sound overly sensible to me. What difference does it make whether other people decide or not to travel? Confused

Fucck · 27/02/2020 17:58

There's no way to predict if the place you're booking won't have cases by the time you go, or worse - while you're there. A lot has changed in the space of a week. Nope, I wouldn't.

TheoneandObi · 27/02/2020 17:58

I wouldn't. And I'm a seasoned traveller who has given birth abroad. I just think things are still playing out. Hold on. It's no great loss to miss one foreign holiday.

Cornettoninja · 27/02/2020 17:59

Like others, the risk of quarantine would be enough for me to immediately discount any trips not already booked. Pregnant or not to be honest.

Also to consider if your far enough along in your second trimester to hit 28 weeks if you were put in quarantine and need medical clearance to fly. Would your insurance cover that or would you have to pay out of pocket etc.

babybrain77 · 27/02/2020 18:00

I was due to be going to Italy in May, but have decided to rebook for somewhere in the UK. This is despite having booked it a year ago and being really excited about it. I'm typically very relaxed about things like this, but its just not worth the risk to take 1yo DS there. I'd feel the same if I were pregnant. Is there nowhere you can go within the UK? I think spas are ok if you take sensible precautions on not spending too long in hot tubs etc.

Deelish75 · 27/02/2020 18:01

This time last week neither Northern Italy or Tenerife were hotspots, yet they are now so it’s hard to know where the hotspots will be by the time you go on your holidays.

Personally I would go, but would travel insurance booked at the same time that you book the holiday and be prepared to be quarantined either abroad or as soon as you get home.

I was listening to Simon Calder (travel advisor) earlier and the impression I got was as long as it’s a package holiday you’ll be alright and looked after.

Srictlybakeoff · 27/02/2020 18:03

I think it depends whether you are someone who will enjoy your holiday regardless or will be on edge all the time worrying about the virus. I have just cancelled our holiday for next week, (to the Far East tho ) not because I am worried about getting the virus but because I would be concerned about getting stuck there , Or not being relaxed enough to properly enjoy it

SavageBeauty73 · 27/02/2020 18:03

I wouldn't go. It's not the virus I fear, it's being stuck in quarantine.

Rachael1994 · 27/02/2020 18:03

I'm a biomedical scientist and test for coronavirus daily at work...

From a clued up person who is actually on the front line facing this virus.... I say GO FOR IT.

Unless your an OAP or an individual with underlying health conditions and a weakened immune system it is extremely unlikely you will even catch it nevermind die from it.

You seem clued up on how to keep yourself safe.

The reality of it is that Wuhan has a population of approx 11,000,000 and there has been 77,000 reported cases. 0.7% of their densely overpopulated city has been infected. If that is scaled up to China alone with 1.386 billion people, only 0.0055% of the entire population have been infected. I say HAVE BEEN infected because the majority of these people are now better and no longer carrying it.

I'm sorry but there is just far too much scare mongering going on out there, to worry people who are stupid enough to believe it.

I agree the prepers are just being ridiculous, if they're going to prep they need to buy some tissues, paracetamol, and hand sanitizer 😂👩‍🔬

MrsStrangerThing · 27/02/2020 18:04

I don't see how you would find anywhere that will meet all of your criteria anyway. I personally wouldn't go, it just isn't the time to be travelling unnecessarily, especially when pregnant. I know you are saying you could as easily catch it here, travel by tube etc - but where would you rather be if you did catch it? I know I would want to be near the hospital providing my antenatal care and cared for by English speaking staff. Or in the comfort of my own home.

Also quarantine on holiday does not sound fun!

kitk · 27/02/2020 18:05

I would book but after sorting out the travel insurance and being absolutely prepared that you might have to cancel from the point of booking. It's only more dangerous to you than flu because there's not a vaccine yet. You could just as easily catch it on the bus to work as thinks are so unclear now

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 27/02/2020 18:08

It's spreading so fast you are just as likely to catch it here . However, what would put me off is ending up being quarantined in some hotel room somewhere!

AppropriateAdult · 27/02/2020 18:08

I’m a doctor, not an anxious person in general and not a prepper. I wouldn’t book a holiday for the next few months, no. International travel is the biggest factor in the spread of this disease and minimising it as much as possible over the next while makes sense. That’s aside from the specific risk of being quarantined somewhere overseas as your pregnancy advances.
In your situation I’d take the money you’d save on flights and book somewhere really luxurious in the UK. Jacuzzis may be out but a pregnancy massage or two and some delicious meals will go a long way.

BonnesVacances · 27/02/2020 18:10

I wouldn't travel at the moment. IMO it's not so much about whether you could contract it, but the issue that travelling is spreading it and making the situation harder to control.

picklebarrelfalls · 27/02/2020 18:14

From a clued up person who is actually on the front line facing this virus.... I say GO FOR IT

Unless your an OAP or an individual with underlying health conditions and a weakened immune system it is extremely unlikely you will even catch it nevermind die from it.

FGS! Anyone who catches it will pass it on to someone, most likely before they realise they have it (and therefore blamelessly) but the someone who they pass it on to might not be in full health!! For instance, if i caught it I could potentially pass it on and cause the deaths of my elderly parents, one of whom is immune compromised, my elderly in laws and my asthmatic husband. We all live in a 100m radius of each other so contact is highly likely in the incubation period.
Stop implying that people who suffer ill health don't matter.

Selfsettling3 · 27/02/2020 18:14

Jumping on the bandwagon. I’m considering booking a holiday for June. I have a 3yrs old, a baby and a husband who takes immunosuppressants but not huge dose.