To go to Spain?

[tospainornottospain]

Even though FCO advice is not to? DH is Spanish and really wants to go. We'd be going to an area which has very few cases anyway. 2 week quarantine would be no problem as we both wfh. We're both 30s and v healthy but I'll be 14 weeks pregnant. Not worried about catching the corona - we are careful but also the stats for young healthy people speak for themselves. Re health insurance I think (but I'm checking) that we're covered anyway because our existing health insurance is international anyway.

Obviously I would ordinarily abide by FCO advice but usually it would be for a reason like terrorism, political instability etc. And as I mentioned, the region I'm going to has hardly any corona anyway.

So! I'd like a sense check from you lovely people if I may - AIBU to consider going?

In Spain now. I feel far safer than in the UK. Plus if there is another lockdown in Spain your husband wouldn't be able to see his family so I would go while you can

I have has treatment while I'm on Spain ,. My travel insurance has paid out. You also have your ehic card too

As you're prepared to quarantine I think you should go.

Safe decision OP.

I didn't get travel insurance for France recently because I knew I wouldn't be covered for Covid related cancellations and my only other concern (except breakdown cover which I got) was health, which we currently still have access to abroad
Oh dear, what misinformed you are. France doesn't cover you for 100% care, only about 75% and that 25% can end up very very expensive.

British people are very naive when it comes to healthcare costs. Everyone could have a heart attack, stroke, epileptic event pulmonary embolism. All these could result in very expensive care and that's not taking into consideration repatriation.

Travelling anywhere without health cover is a very stupid thing to do as sadly many people find out.

When you face a life threatening episode, dealing with the stress, worry, loneliness, language barrier, having to make decisions on behalf of your loved one, the last thing you want is the stress of being handed invoices wondering how the hell you are going to pay it all.

I am in Southern Spain right now and feel much safer than when I was in the U.K. Flight and airports were great-everyone following the mask and hand gel rules. I will be quarantined for the 14 days when we return but totally worth it in my opinion.

These threads really make me laugh - one side: you must be crazy have you seen the infection stats Spain is in the midst of a second wave, you are very vulnerable to covid being pregnant and you are planning to walk into a massive hot spot WTAF!

Other side: Ah it is fine, new infections what new infections, it looked fine in the bar earlier, and I 'feel' safe, so I must BE safe. Besides most people are asymptomatic anyway so who cares! Totally worth it to boil my face on a packed beach for a week. Although it is annoying it is so sunny and warm at home.

You really could not make it up!!

The second lot will be the first on crowd funder when it all goes t*s up!

@Friendsoftheearth

These threads really make me laugh - one side: you must be crazy have you seen the infection stats Spain is in the midst of a second wave, you are very vulnerable to covid being pregnant and you are planning to walk into a massive hot spot WTAF!

Other side: Ah it is fine, new infections what new infections, it looked fine in the bar earlier, and I 'feel' safe, so I must BE safe. Besides most people are asymptomatic anyway so who cares! Totally worth it to boil my face on a packed beach for a week. Although it is annoying it is so sunny and warm at home.

You really could not make it up!!

The second lot will be the first on crowd funder when it all goes t*s up!

But your scenario isn’t at all accurate for many of those who have decided that they do still want to travel!

Packed beach? I’m next to a massive reservoir. Yesterday there wasn’t much sun so there literally wasn’t another soul around the entirety of it

On ‘busy’ days there are a dozen or so people. They all go to the public area of the beach, space out, where masks to the cafe and all is perfectly safe and ‘normal’

Town is a 20 minute drive away and we’ve spoken to fewer than 10 people in total (and I’m fluent in local lingo) in the 3 weeks we’ve been here.

It IS much safer than being at home with the hoards in Tesco where far too many are apparently too special to observe any kind of common sense practice. People here are properly responsible.

It’s all well and good you trying to be snooty about the choices of others, but you’re wrong.

Our only “risk” is the travel section and that has been managed impeccably by everyone. The rest of the risk management is down to us and it is still far far safer than going food shopping in the uk.

Mz I genuinely think you are deluding yourself.

If it was safe the UK government and many other countries would not have made Spain essential travel only.

@Friendsoftheearth the UK government aren't exactly doing a stellar job, I don't trust anything they say.

Not worried about catching the corona - we are careful but also the stats for young healthy people speak for themselves

Everyone will tolerate different levels of risk so your decision. However, I would point out though the numbers are not known yet and hopefully are small there is an emerging group of people who have had CoVid, many not severely and including younger people who were previously fit and healthy, who are being termed ‘long haulers’. They remain incapacitated months after getting the virus, five months now for those who got ill in March. They are still unable to return to work, exercise etc. It is not known whether they will eventually recover but there is the risk some of them could have developed a chronic post viral syndrome. As well as this post CoVid outcome other patient groups are reporting blood clots, heart and kidney problems.

It’s not accurate but I think Dr Tim Spector of the CoVid app is saying they are seeing up to 10% of people with CoVid still experiencing various health problems months on.

This American doctor discusses long haul CoVid here writing:

“This virus has the potential to cause lifelong damage to the body that may be irreversible. I am already seeing “long-haulers” in my medical practice. They resemble patients with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), which is a complex, chronic, debilitating multi-systemic disease often triggered by an infection. I fear that these patients may never again be the same.

“Long-haulers” complain of rashes, brain fog, headaches, insomnia, sweats/chills, bloating, menstrual changes, episodes of rapid heart rate and post-exertional malaise to name just a few of the incapacitating symptoms they suffer from. Many of these patients do not seem to be getting better and there is great concern that “long-haulers” may never be the same.”

A woman here writes about her experience of still being ill months on www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/26/im-a-covid-19-long-hauler-im-still-dealing-with-pain-fatigue-and-misery

Further to my comment above, I see Tim Spector tweeted the other day a figure that is a lot less than 10% for people having all different types of post CoVid problems 3 months on. He tweeted:

“I think that’s true for now but figures are changing on our app and luckily many of these people are improving by 90 days - leaving only around 1 in 200 still with problems. That’s still a lot of people though out of 3-5 million affected #LongCovid”

@Friendsoftheearth

Mz I genuinely think you are deluding yourself.

Well you wouldn’t know because you have literally no idea of how travel is being managed, how most Of Europe Are managing the situation, compliance etc (hint Waaaaaaay better than uk)

But don’t let facts or the genuine experience of others get in the way of asserting an uninformed opinion on the internet eh?

Here, you can have my popcorn, I’ve no interest in manufactured drama where none exists 🍿

he UK government aren't exactly doing a stellar job, I don't trust anything they say

Are you going to say the same thing about Norway, Germany (just about to add Spain to their risk zone) and all the other countries that are now taking action to stop the spread from Spain wax. You do know we are not the only country restricting travel to Spain don't you?!

mz I think you had better keep your popcorn for the next few weeks when things get really very spiky. I am pretty sure you will need a slice of humble pie to go with that too.

guylan The single biggest issue that is being vastly underreported now are the long term effects of covid, whether it is deliberate to stop people freaking out, or unintentional, they should be covering this in more detail. My friend had covid at the beginning, average middle aged healthy woman no previous conditions, she has been referred to the post covid clinic as a referral because she still can't climb stairs easily due to chest pain, she still can't work because she feels too weak, has chest pain that wakes her up in the night. Sleeps for hours during the day, and has regular episodes of similar symptoms as if she is still ill and the virus is still there. GP is at a loss, as he has no idea how the virus works. She has so far waited for months to be seen. App next week and a chest x-ray is booked as well. She still looks awful, just not herself at all. There must be an avalanche of patients, as she did not need hosptial treatment, although she was given pretty hardcore medication from home (and I think should have been admitted at the time when she couldn't breathe very well at all) but yes it is a huge hidden worry, an unspoken front line - this is not really considering those with major organ failures etc.

When you really stop and think about it, it is a life sentence for some.

www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/How-France-s-coronavirus-numbers-compare

This makes for interesting reading for those that are watching.