To fly or drive?

[venusandmars]

I've got a longstanding visit booked to relatives some distance from me. They are in their 70s, already relatively isolated (no close family) and I know that they have been looking forward to my visit very much.

After much discussion with the relatives, and with wider family, the consensus is that I should go ahead as planned. Reasons being that community incidence will increase over next few weeks making re-arrangement unlikely; there may be pressure for these relatives to self-isolate at some point; during this visit I can help them to prepare for potential self-isolation e.g. planning for food and essentials, seeking community support, setting up tech systems (skype, on-line shopping, repeat prescriptions etc).

So (unless I become ill, or there is a massive change in policy before tomorrow), I will be going.

I have a flight booked (domestic UK regional airport to another domestic UK regional airport). My dh thinks I should drive instead. Or course travelling through any kind of public space is going to increase my risk of exposure to coronavirus, but the statistical reality is that I am much more likely to come to harm as the result of a traffic accident.

Neither myself or the relatives have any underlying health risks (apart from their age).

Any opinions, or information on the risk of domestic air travel?

drive

Neither...don't go. You may feel healthy now but you could be carrying the virus to them.

If you do decide to go anyway (which is putting them risk), then drive. Airports are hubs and you could easily pick it up there and then bring it to your elderly relatives when you arrive.

Driving means you come into contact with fewer people, your husband is right.

But honestly, just don't go.

If you must go, drive - but try to avoid motorway service stations (or any public loos if you can).

Agree. I'd not go at all at the moment but if absolutely necessary I'd drive.

Are you likely to have been exposed? Do you commute to work etc? If yes then don’t go.

If you must go 101% drive. Stop and pee in a bush if needs be!

I wouldn't go at all in case I was transporting the bug to them. But if forced to go, I would drive rather than risk picking it up at an airport and taking it that way.

Thanks all. I'll drive.

I totally get all the advice about not going at all, however our collective family conclusion is that going now is better than trying to go later. These relatives are well and fit and healthy, but lonely. And they need some help to set up some of the things they might require if they are to self-isolate for 4 - 12 weeks (or even longer). As I mentioned above, things like on-line shopping, community links, skype/facetime/WhatsApp etc so they still feel in communication with wider family. Their mental health is important here too and their on-going ability to be supported by people in the community who live close to them. It's great having local facebook pages offering help but this is a couple who would totally miss out on that - they need a local person/organisation to facilitate their on-going wellbeing.

It's difficult decisions all round and by continuing with current arrangements we're hoping to get them set up now and avoid a crisis later on (when a visit might potentially carry higher risk).

And I work from home, so I think my exposure in generally low-ish

If you really have to go then definitely drive as you could contract it on plane or airport and you'd never forgive yourself.