Would you fly to see family over Christmas ?

[christmastree00]

Whilst adhering to local rules of course. Covid Test and quarantine as appropriate as well as sticking to local rules of mixing etc.

We’re flying out to the Caribbean to see friends for New Year. Have to have a test before flying and one on arrival and may be asked to quarantine in our villa - which is absolutely fine by us.

@SchrodingersImmigrant yeah ! This year is the year to be there and couldn't go last year so it's been three years. Still undecided.

According to my Cardiologist, yes flying is high risk. Masks come off to eat and drink, there’s less social distancing on the plane than at the airports, some planes allow exempt people to travel without masks, children usually don’t wear masks etc, there are lots of touch points and so on.

If you genuinely aren’t worried about catching Covid yourself or giving it to your family then go ahead but if you do have anyone high risk in your family circle or you yourself are worried about catching it then it’s not worth the risk or anxiety.

@ComtesseDeSpair that's so cool ! Enjoy it ! I'm sure all will go well. My elderly father has recently returned from the Caribbean and had a great time. He's way more gusty then me. I get worried about seeing new people and literally barely leave the house.

So much misconception here. The OP can do it. Tests sorted/no quarantine.

If it meant someone literally sitting alone all day I would.
If both parties could have a nice day without the travelling, I wouldn’t.
You need to think about what would happen if you got ill over there
Ultimately is it worth it? One day, a week?
I flew in October and felt safe, even though the plane was full.

I don't have to spend two weeks in isolation at all. Just need a covid test and then can do what I want- sticking to local rules.

In that case I would. Trying to convince my parents to do that, but they aren't budging.

@NameChange84 yeah definitely. It's a very short flight. The last times I've flown the planes were so empty and I had no one next to me / or even in front etc. I was 2 metres away from anyone at all times. But can't guarantee that this time.

My doc friends say it's low risk! Just depends who you speak to. My friends are experts in the field of infectious diseases and virology.

It's a weird one guys ! Opinions are super mixed. I personally am in two minds about it. Obviously.

The safest thing is to stay home and not even mix with in laws at Christmas isn't it. Mixing with anyone is a risk. I don't know if I need the anxiety of it all right now.

Nope. We're isolating before Christmas and only seeing those who can do the same.

My doc friends who have 5 month old twins have relatives flying in. The relatives will come off the plane and directly into their home ( long haul from US ). And they say this is fine lol.

I would

It's so mixed. I know people like my doc friends - the main things they avoid is crowds and restaurants but live life normally ( according to rules etc ). Then I know others who have not been even inside a supermarket since February and have not seen anyone outside their household even outside since it all began. These are people in their early 30s. Extremely low risk. I'm somewhere in the middle. I try to avoid supermarkets etc and don't see anyone / or as little as possible outside. But I've flown a few times because I've had to.

I would in your circumstances.

Your doc friends don’t sound like virology experts 😟 They sound like people who want to do what they want to do. Everyone I know who works in that field is staying at home and meeting family outdoors.

[quote christmastree00]@Christmassequins so will you spend Christmas by yourself this year ?[/quote]
No. I've had covid, DH has had covid and the one DC who will be with us has also had covid.

@VerlynWebbe no that's not the case. They are just able to balance risk according to science. They avoid loads of stuff- to do with crowds. They stick to the rules massively too.

If they’re able to assess risk, then they’ll know that coming from the US right now is a risk, and not quarantining at this end is a risk, so it doesn’t matter how many crowds they usually avoid.

Sorry but either they’re full of shit, or this is a made up couple

@VerlynWebbe they're not full of shit or made up. The relatives will quarantine, according to the rules. In the home they're visiting. So nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever. Pretty much everywhere is extremely high risk right now and I'm sure the relatives will have taken a test too before travelling.

People should avoid risk.
It's not as if Christmas is not a 'once in a lifetime' event!!

It sounds as if you're very reluctant so I'd not go, but plan a visit when numbers are lower. In the summer for example I'd have been much more prepared to fly than now.

Our flights to my family have been cancelled by the airline which in a way is a relief

My parents haven’t seen their grandchildren since last Christmas it’s wretched but not sure I’d be going even if we could. Don’t want to take it to them or catch it while there and bring it back

No. But I think you're going to do it anyway.

@ilovesooty why do you think that haha. I'm leaning the other way !

@Christmassequins

The test is merely a momentary snapshot. It can take days from exposure to covid to getting a positive result.

As someone who's had covid, I wouldn't risk my health or others.

I know someone who got married in the Seychelles (she lives in the ME). They tested negative at home. When they landed they were tested again and tested positive. They had to self isolate in their hotel room for 14 days, then got married on their last day before flying home the following day.

I did (arrived last Thursday) and am currently strictly quarantining til Xmas eve, and working from home. Then Xmas day, I will be seeing my godmother.