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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go on a plane with covid?

410 replies

Coursha · 09/07/2022 08:38

I have covid right now and due to fly to Spain in a few days. The rules are that I just need to show my vaccine pass but doesn’t seem to say don’t travel of you have covid. Can this be right? Don’t know if I need to cancel. I tested positive 4 days ago.

OP posts:
myuterusistryingtokillme · 09/07/2022 09:15

Ducksinthebath · 09/07/2022 08:39

God, that really is a twatty thing to do.

Yep completely agree

Spinfit · 09/07/2022 09:16

If you are concerned about passing it on, try and get hold of a LFT (they aren't very sensitive but are specific) - any NHS worker can get a box from the government website (I think there are other non NHS people who can as well) and then the guidance for us is test on day 5 and day 6, if both negative then stop isolating (basically we need two negatives before returning to work but they have to be done from day 5 onwards).

Namechange7777 · 09/07/2022 09:17

Half the plane will have Covid. If you feel well enough, go. And have a great time.

TenTree · 09/07/2022 09:17

ApplesandBunions · 09/07/2022 09:08

Quite a few posters on here are very keen on the idea that they caught covid through someone acting in a way they deem to be inappropriate. Because the virus has a strong moral backbone, clearly. Nobody ever seems to think they caught it from an asymptomatic person. Or acknowledges that they consented to encountering covid when they chose to fly, go to the cinema or engaged in whatever other optional leisure activity it is that they're complaining about.

In reality, based on what we know about this current strain and the prevalence of it, the person who will be on around Day 8 or 9 after a positive test probably isn't the one on the plane most likely to be infectious.

Show quote history

Absolutely this.

I am working on the assumption that anywhere I go, I’ll encounter someone who unknowingly has covid. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’d have absolutely no issue getting on a plane with OP, and so think she should go.

And for those whose mental health is impacted by a positive test and a choice to cancel plans as a result, please work on your resilience. I appreciate its been a tough period but you can’t expect the rest of the world to pander to your mental health issues, particularly if they are that fragile.

Wobblywibblywoo · 09/07/2022 09:18

A very twatty thing to do as stated above! Although doesn’t surprise me someone would ask this as everyone seems to be out for themselves these days and fuck all others.

youcantparktheresir · 09/07/2022 09:19

MillyMoo1113 · 09/07/2022 08:41

See that's probably why I have covid. Cos I went on a plane and someone was a daft as you. And now I've had to cancel my weekend plans, which is affecting my mental health, and my DD is terrified of getting it as isolating/being at home will massively affect her mental health. And she already has enough issues.

See the big picture and think how many lives you could affect.

I really don't think someone with covid is going to think 'I wonder if that random person has a child with mental health issues and is terrified of catching it and still isolates'

You can be cautious and do the right thing, but what you've said is a bit of a stretch. Especially now as everyone's mostly just getting on with things. Is your child terrified or catching any other viruses or bugs?

For what it's worth I wouldn't get on a plane if testing positive. But if it was after the 5 days and was neg then sure why not.

GetThatHelmetOn · 09/07/2022 09:19

I didn’t see my family for 2 years to avoid catching COVID in the plane and take it to my parents who were particularly frail. The idea of someone getting on a plane with covid with no consideration for the implications of their selfish behaviour is absolutely revolting.

Original poster
Coursha · 09/07/2022 09:19

Hmm, that’s quite a mixed response. It’s our family summer holiday, no one else has it yet and I’m trying to isolate myself. I don’t feel well, symptoms started on Monday and I tested positive on Wednesday. Travel is early hours Wed morning so day 7/8 from positive test.

I obviously don’t want to infect anyone on a plane and want to go by the rules but that’s the problem, I don’t know if there are rules for vaccinated people. If I was unvaccinated I would have to have a negative test before travelling.
I have insurance but would it cover if I’m not breaking any rules by going?

Thanks for the replies, bit disappointed by those of you who are so judgemental as it’s obviously not black and white.

OP posts:
QueSyrahSyrah · 09/07/2022 09:19

Emmelina · 09/07/2022 08:44

Planes recirculate air, you will become a close contact of everyone on board.
How many days is ‘a few’? 2? 6? 10?

They do not @Emmelina and I wish people would stop sharing that misconception, planes pull fresh air in through the engines and replace the air entirely about every 3-4 minutes. Even at peak pandemic it was only the people sitting immediately in front and to the side of a positive covid case that were contact traced.

OP it depends what you mean by a 'few' days really, and if you're symptomatic, and testing positive or negative at that point.

MaggieFS · 09/07/2022 09:19

Current symptoms are not the original ones we've had drilled into us.

How many people are currently walking around with a summer cold? Probably Covid.

How many people are asymptomatic and not testing.

It's completely ridiculous to try and pin point the source to a flight or certain occasion. There is no way of knowing. There is a lot of covid around. It's shit for people who are CEV, shit for people whom it affects badly and shit for people if plans are affected.

If you can change plans then do but I wouldn't miss something like a flight. I would wear a mask though.

myuterusistryingtokillme · 09/07/2022 09:19

imagine lots of people are getting on planes knowing they’ve got covid because I can think of 3 people I know who’ve done it recently

Wow, you know several really crappy people

tictoc76 · 09/07/2022 09:19

Just go

Trixiefirecracker · 09/07/2022 09:20

We have to get used to this now as it’s not going anywhere, you can’t run around blaming people ‘for giving you Covid’ and destroying your mental health. Most people aren’t even testing anymore and don’t even know they have it. OP, get on the bloody plane and enjoy. Hope you have a great holiday.

Beautiful3 · 09/07/2022 09:20

Yes its fine. My daughter tested positive (last month) for covid, she could return to school after 3 days of isolation.

Prettypussy · 09/07/2022 09:21

Of course you can go- nobody is routinely testing any more, nor is it a requirement so you won't be the only one on the plain with Covid- why should you miss your holiday to 'protect' people who either have it anyway, are going to be in contact with lots of others that have it on the plane, and probably aren't vulnerable because otherwise they wouldn't be risking flying right now, would they?

Government advice that you are fine to carry on with life after 5 days of symptoms and that you are no longer infectious after this time so you will already be past this by the time you go- so you can go with a clear conscience.

bloomflower · 09/07/2022 09:21

if you tested positive four days ago, and the flight is in a few days, you should be in the clear by then. Isn't it 5 days after pos test you are allowed to socialise again? Just wear a high grade mask.

averythinline · 09/07/2022 09:21

Test again dh tested negative after 7 days me 6 dc 5! So chances are you wont be infectious....

Blinkingheckythump · 09/07/2022 09:21

IGotItInTheSales · 09/07/2022 08:55

Don't listen to those saying don't go....ridiculous!

You aren't even obliged to test anymore.

This. Especially as you'll be out of the 5 day period anyways.

crosbystillsandmash · 09/07/2022 09:22

MillyMoo1113 · 09/07/2022 08:41

See that's probably why I have covid. Cos I went on a plane and someone was a daft as you. And now I've had to cancel my weekend plans, which is affecting my mental health, and my DD is terrified of getting it as isolating/being at home will massively affect her mental health. And she already has enough issues.

See the big picture and think how many lives you could affect.

I can relate as my dd has mental health issues but surely there's no need to self isolate?

crimsonlake · 09/07/2022 09:22

Op if you had initially given the whole story in the first place obviously people would have been less judgemental.

vdbfamily · 09/07/2022 09:26

Covid is most infectious a couple of days prior to symptoms through to a few days into symptoms so you will be less of a danger than the umerous people on the flight who probably do not know they have it. I would wear an FFP2 mask and be careful sanitise what you touch with wipes or gel but unless you are still symptomatic and coughing everywhere you will be such a low risk.
With current numbers there will already be several others passengers with Covid who will have no idea and anyone flying will be accepting this risk.

Blinkingheckythump · 09/07/2022 09:26

TenTree · 09/07/2022 09:17

Absolutely this.

I am working on the assumption that anywhere I go, I’ll encounter someone who unknowingly has covid. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’d have absolutely no issue getting on a plane with OP, and so think she should go.

And for those whose mental health is impacted by a positive test and a choice to cancel plans as a result, please work on your resilience. I appreciate its been a tough period but you can’t expect the rest of the world to pander to your mental health issues, particularly if they are that fragile.

Show quote history

Especially when they are choosing to isolate, there is no requirement for them to

Allicando · 09/07/2022 09:26

I am due to fly to Greece tomorrow and have just had a positive lateral flow - first time I have had it. No way am I getting on a plane!

Mrbay · 09/07/2022 09:28

If it helps, I tested positive on Monday eve, I was totally negative on Friday am so you should fine to go on a moral basis but I'm not sure if airlines have any rules.

kegofcoffee · 09/07/2022 09:29

Maybe I'm too lax. I wouldn't say a straight out no.

Do you have symptoms? And how many days will it be since you tested positive?

In a lot of countries the guidance is that you only need to isolate for 5 days if you don't have symptoms. Even the U.K. gov and NHS website acknowledges that most people aren't contagious after 5 days.