Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you fly to see family over Christmas ?

150 replies

christmastree00 · 15/12/2020 10:12

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

OP posts:
Whosthebestbabainalltheworld · 15/12/2020 16:28

Is this all about you? Aside from your family (let’s assume they want you to travel), people in the country where you’re proposing to go don’t want you arriving Covid test or otherwise.

christmastree00 · 15/12/2020 16:30

Ok then I'm selfish. We are all so selfish for following the rules and not hurting anyone. Sorry but I needed to see my family this year so I did. I just think you don't know people's reasons for needling to do what they need to do and if they stick to rules, they're not selfish.

OP posts:
MrsMariaReynolds · 15/12/2020 16:34

You sound as if you've already made your mind up to go, Op. Not sure what you're looking for here, apart from validation, or a bun fight.

EileenGC · 15/12/2020 16:35

@TheThingWithFeathers

I wouldn't. I think anyone who is still travelling for leisure/holidays at the moment just because they can is pretty selfish to be honest.
What's the difference between a 2h commute on a packed train with dozens of people each day, or a 2h flight to see my young and very low-risk parents? Am I really selfish for going to see my family, bearing in mind I will only see them (4 people) and will 99% not be carrying Covid?
BritWifeinUSA · 15/12/2020 16:43

Absolutely! We flew to Mexico in September and back again. Next week we are driving 500 miles to the in-laws. We would normally fly but we are taking two dogs with us so we are going to drive instead.

Gloriainexcelcis · 15/12/2020 16:45

Don't let these bitter and miserable people tell you you're selfish for wanting to see family.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 15/12/2020 17:42

SchrodingersImmigrant perhaps it's just Germany, pretty sure its EU wide though
www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/quarantaene-einreise/2371468

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 15/12/2020 17:44

www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2020/12/13/december-eu-travel-restrictions-by-country-christmas-quarantine-and-covid-19-test-requirements/?sh=4aa9da103f15 sorry - this is in English and lists most EU countries

IMNOTSHOUTING · 15/12/2020 17:45

Possibly if they were dying or there was some other compelling reason but just for Christmas no. I do have family abroad I'd planned on seeing and would dearly love to but won't this year.

Tobebythesea · 15/12/2020 17:46

No way.

TheThingWithFeathers · 15/12/2020 17:48

But it's not just about the 4 people in your family is it? You risk passing the virus onto or getting it from the airport staff, airline staff or other travellers and all of their contacts.

I wouldn't want to travel knowing I may put someone at risk somewhere along the line.

TheThingWithFeathers · 15/12/2020 17:50

That was to @EileenGC whose post I was trying to quote but failed.

Likeynolight · 15/12/2020 17:56

I'd do it but only because I've had like all my relatives that have passed away, have died suddenly including those with cancer. I mean days after diagnosis, never got to say the chance to say goodbye.

I don't see the point in people saying you shouldn't do it when people are the saying do it on other threads about getting DD or DS from uni if they've got anxiety etc.

If, you can book a test in to make sure and self isolate then do it. Just try and self isolate until then when you can.

unmarkedbythat · 15/12/2020 17:57

I haven't flown since 2005 and don't intend to ever again without really good reason, so, no.

EileenGC · 15/12/2020 18:28

@TheThingWithFeathers

But it's not just about the 4 people in your family is it? You risk passing the virus onto or getting it from the airport staff, airline staff or other travellers and all of their contacts. I wouldn't want to travel knowing I may put someone at risk somewhere along the line.
Have you been outside your house at all since March? Of course there is a tiny risk involved. Every outing has some risk. But I fail to understand how I could pass it on to someone who's behind a Perspex screen, 2m away, we're both in masks and I've just tested negative. Transmission in such a situation is highly, highly unlikely. The airport employees are probably being tested regularly. Here private PCR tests are reasonably cheaper than in the UK, and most people I know are being tested regularly at work.

No one is allowed to board the plane before they show a negative test done in the 48h prior. Someone could still be incubating it and not be picked up, but the risk is already reduced. And airports don't look like they used to do anymore. Like I said, I've been on 18 flights since March and I can assure you it is MUCH safer than taking the bus/train to work, or going to the supermarket. You queue 2m away from others, you can't take your mask off at any point (passport control excluded) and are constantly asked to sanitise your hands. The airports are so clean, it's unbelievable.

So unless you haven't been to a shop, pub, used public transport, been to the GP or had any children in school since March, you can't argue I'm putting so many people at risk. Because I'm not. I put more people at risk by staying at home, funnily enough.

Life can't stop forever and the hygiene protocols for travelling now are so strict, an airport is one of the safest environments you can be in, actually.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 15/12/2020 18:41

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme thanks! No worries about language. Chrome translates😁

I understood it as prohibited without quarantine/tes. Thanks!

Livelovebehappy · 15/12/2020 18:56

Definitely go OP. The way this is panning out, we might not be getting holidays next year either. There was light at the end of the tunnel last week with the vaccine etc, but now we’re being told not to think things will be anywhere near normal until at least the middle of next year. If you feel comfortable going, and the people you’re visiting feel comfortable with it, then go.

christmastree00 · 15/12/2020 19:01

@EileenGC I'm with you ! What you describe is sensible sticking to the rules. It can't be compared to people breaking rules and doing whatever they want and not giving a damn. Which is what some posters on this thread have implied we are doing - if we dare to travel - whilst sticking to the rules. I would understand if we were saying that we are meeting up with lots of people indoors and going to bars with people outside of our household etc. etc. Anyway I'm leaning towards not going. Not because I think I'm selfish if I do go or breaking any rule or being rogue. I just want to be on the safe side. But it's a personal choice.

OP posts:
EileenGC · 15/12/2020 19:29

@christmastree00 exactly. Everyone decides what they're comfortable with. If you'd rather not travel that's perfectly understandable, but suggesting someone's selfish because they're getting on a plane doesn't make much sense.

You don't see Covid outbreaks that happened on a flight featuring in the news. People did bring Covid back with them from holidays, but that's because they got drunk in Magaluf, ignored all the local rules and went straight back to mixing at the pub when they came back, instead of self-isolating. Very few of those people would've caught it at the airport or on the plane.

Gloriainexcelcis · 15/12/2020 19:31

They like competitive lockdown on here. If you have left the house since March, seen anybody or done anything that's enjoyable then they label you as selfish.

EileenGC · 15/12/2020 19:33

@Gloriainexcelcis

They like competitive lockdown on here. If you have left the house since March, seen anybody or done anything that's enjoyable then they label you as selfish.
I'm yet to meet someone like this in real life! MN is a strange place 😂
Gloriainexcelcis · 15/12/2020 19:34

Haha same, most people I know are being sensible but are sick of it all now, only on here do you get shamed for everything.

Fluffybutter · 15/12/2020 19:35

@Gloriainexcelcis

They like competitive lockdown on here. If you have left the house since March, seen anybody or done anything that's enjoyable then they label you as selfish.
And a granny killer !
TimeForLunch · 15/12/2020 19:42

Yes, I absolutely would. If you are all comfortable with it and not breaking any laws then why not? Make the most of every opportunity you can.

movingonup20 · 15/12/2020 22:09

The test only detects covid once it reaches a certain stage of infection, you can be negative then 6 hours later positive. Unless you isolate for a week (longer to be really sure) the test is useless

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.