Why do people want to go on holidays abroad this summer? (Not travel to family)

[WombatChocolate]

Given we have put in huge efforts to reduce the virus in this country over many months, I struggle why people (not the holiday industry) are so keen to whizz off for a couple of weeks of sun, when we know the virus is surging in parts of the world.

What is this about?

The only thing I can think of which makes any sense to me is that they have already booked, or had a booking carried forward from last year and fear losing the money. Somehow they would rather go than sacrifice the money and that has led to large numbers wanting to go.

We all know that mutants will come into the country through travel and it’s impossible to keep them out, so why do people want to go so much?

Is it that they just love a sunny holiday so much they don’t think about the possible consequences? Is it that they do t want to lose the money? Is it that they are jabbed and so don’t believe their travel can have any consequences? Is it that they don’t know about levels of virus around the world? Or is it that because the holiday industry wants to open up (very understandably) they have been influenced by them?

I really understand people who have family abroad, how difficult the travel issue is for them and I do understand why they want to go and often feel they must go. I’m not asking about that. It’s just the standard holiday I’m interested in, because I don’t really get it.

Anyone who has thoughts about it, or is keen to go and feels like saying why.....many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

@Tealightsandd

The government are 'terrified' of the long term financial impact of long covid. They're concerned about the costs to the NHS and welfare benefits.

They’re really not

@Tealightsandd

The government are 'terrified' of the long term financial impact of long covid. They're concerned about the costs to the NHS and welfare benefits.

You made that up, didn't you?

It's like drink driving. When the risk is your own, fine, but when you risk other people's lives, health, and livelihoods, not fine.

We shouldn't have to go into yet another lockdown, suffer more deaths and ill health, see more businesses shut for months, and add to the up to 5 year NHS backlog, just because someone wants to go on holiday abroad.

Good thing indeed... if you prefer the alternative to temporary border restrictions. Which is long lockdowns, ruined businesses, over 150,000 dead, more than 1 million with (confirmed by scan) heart, lung, and other long covid damage, and NHS backlog of 5 years.

No worries pubs, hair salons, restaurants, shops, and other everyday businesses are closed for months.

No matter people can't visit family and friends at home.

It's all ok because you can go on holiday abroad (if we're allowed in).

Yeah great.

Well, are you able to understand that the UK being in this position isn't the fault of open borders, but of horrendous management from the government?

I'm in a big country in Europe, similar size and demographic to UK.

We have half the death rate, our businesses aren't destroyed, the doctors have kept seeing you even at the height of the winter lockdown, I've been able to meet in groups of 3 all winter, and our borders were never closed (apart from March-May last year, in a similar way to the UK).

The government has managed the situation brilliantly, pumped money and resources into the businesses that needed it, didn't restrict its population from seeing friends and family, and is now looking at lifting the last few restrictions before summer. It's not people's fault the UK government have been somewhat less competent.

Argh my phone just posts whenever it feels like it! I meant to ask if you agreed with Macron when he shut out the lorry drivers.

No Iced not made up at all. It's been fairly widely reported. Matt Hancock is said to be particularly concerned.

It's like drink driving. When the risk is your own, fine, but when you risk other people's lives, health, and livelihoods, not fine.

Did a handsome travel agent or airline pilot dump you back in the day or what?

To add to that - the UK is however doing a great job with the vaccination programme. Which, if anything, will allow UK citizens relatively more freedom, earlier on this summer. We're starting to get out of this hole. Lifting restrictions - both nationally and regarding travel - benefits the economy and everyone who can in one way or another, slowly go back to how their lives were before. Be that by jetting off to Malaga, or going to the local pub. We need to open up. It's been long enough.

@Tealightsandd

No Iced not made up at all. It's been fairly widely reported. Matt Hancock is said to be particularly concerned.

Source?

It is a bit like drink driving, if you had to take a breathalyzer before you got in the car and if it came back positive you couldn’t go in the car.

@WouldBeGood

And dv and abuse is another reason to lift restrictions not to continue them.

Shock news: we are all going to die

Absolutely!

“Long Covid” is a post viral illness that follows a very very small percentage of Covid cases. As it does other viruses. The government gives not a shit about it.

It's like drink driving. When the risk is your own, fine, but when you risk other people's lives, health, and livelihoods, not fine.

Whose livelihood would I be risking by going abroad? Maybe those around me on the trip - who I suppose would have chosen to 'take the risk' as well. Highly, highly unlikely you'd import Covid back if you adhere to the destination's Covid measures, and have tested yourself multiple times before/after each flight.

I still don't understand who I'd be putting at risk. Someone back home, going to the local supermarket? If they're so scared, they're welcome to stay at home.

Although it is sweet that people think the government cares about their health.

Matt Hancock is said to be particularly concerned.

I would think Hancock has more pressing concerns right now, another word starting with c and ending with orruption.

I still have post viral effects from Covid in December, although they are getting better. I hate the term bloody long covid, I hope to never hear it again.

I am off on a plane as soon as I can.

@Tealightsandd

It's like drink driving. When the risk is your own, fine, but when you risk other people's lives, health, and livelihoods, not fine.

We shouldn't have to go into yet another lockdown, suffer more deaths and ill health, see more businesses shut for months, and add to the up to 5 year NHS backlog, just because someone wants to go on holiday abroad.

But using alcohol is still legal. We don't ban alcohol because some people drink drive.

We don’t ban driving either.

Though maybe we should! Danger!!

COVID isn’t going away so what’s the point to wait? I also need some sun.

@WouldBeGood

We don’t ban driving either.

Though maybe we should! Danger!!

Every time you get in a car there is the potential you might lose concentration and make an error that costs an innocent person their life. Then's there's the damage to The Environment.

Ban driving I say! It's not 'safe'!

Source?

This one is behind a paywall. I haven't got time to find another right now but the headline makes its clear, and it's been widely reported.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/01/million-people-britain-living-long-covid/amp/

Matt Hancock 'very worried' about impact of condition

What Matt Hancock thinks about anything is worthless. Have you seen his NHS funded family business?

@Tealightsandd

Source?

This one is behind a paywall. I haven't got time to find another right now but the headline makes its clear, and it's been widely reported.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/04/01/million-people-britain-living-long-covid/amp/

Matt Hancock 'very worried' about impact of condition

Nice try, but no it doesn't make anything 'clear'. Matt Hancock couldn't care less about one more form of post-viral syndrome. He only cares if the NHS is going to be overwhelmed, and we are well past that point.

Long Covid is also self reported with a myriad of symptoms and many people who report them have not tested positive for Covid: also self reported.

So of course there can be post viral effects. But it’s nothing to shut the world down for.

@Covidwedding123

COVID isn’t going away so what’s the point to wait? I also need some sun.

People will be fully vaccinated by the end of summer (autumn/winter, of you include the 3rd booster for the most vulnerable). Vaccines are being tweaked to protect against new strains to cover that issue too.

They're not 100% effective but once the majority of the population are fully vaccinated, the risks will significantly reduce.

I don't know whereabouts in the UK you live but definitely in many parts there was lots of sun today. Some weather forecasters think this summer will see 32 degree heat. So plenty of sun and heat right here.