If you ARE concerned about catching Covid, would you fly (short haul) now?

[Rosiestraws]

Let me preface this by saying I AM concerned about catching Covid - both in general and before Christmas in particular. I appreciate some people aren't worried/have had it etc and this isn't for those people! I have never caught Covid (that I am aware of!) and I am double vaxxed, with booster tomorrow. (Mid 30s, no health conditions that I am aware of). I have developed anxiety over the last year because of the pandemic but generally it has been much better the past 6 months or so and I've got back to a semi normal life going out and about as I always would do - wearing masks of course where I feel the need (and certainly everywhere recommended).

I am supposed to be flying short haul to a very low risk place for Covid to visit my partner's family. This is to be there for a few days and back before Christmas.

I was a bit worried but generally ok with it all when booked. Now with the Omicron variant, cases rising etc I am concerned about catching Covid before Xmas and missing out on having Xmas with my family.

My main fears would be a) catching it from someone in his family - there are a handful of nieces and nephes unvaxxed due to age. His siblings are vaxxed and careful I believe but who knows for sure how careful.. they will be travelling from similar areas to where we live to this place that is very low risk. b) Catching it on the airplane/airport etc.

My partner thinks I am being silly/unreasonable and that I have been on the tube for a similar length of time as the plane trip would be and same risk catching it there. (I have to do this tube journey to go between his place and mine - I would rather avoid it but I do see his point in that I am doing it still). I have also been to restaurants/bars - although I choose them carefully for well spaced out places etc and not packed places. I would also plan to stop this from tomorrow basically - 10 days ish before Christmas.

There's just something about the idea of getting a plane and not being able to get off it and sitting right next to people and people all around me that concerns me (tube doors open every stop by comparison and I don't get on busy tubes so there is always space around me/I sit by the windows etc) Also being in an airport with SO many people. There is no need to have any sort of covid test to/from this place we are travelling to as it is part of the UK. I would be a bit more relaxed if everyone on the plane needed to take PCR tests! I should also add that he will of course be staying on with his family for Xmas so I would be flying there with him for a few days, then flying back alone to go to my family for Xmas.

Would you do it? Would your answer change if you were taking the other risks I am (tube/restaurants) and would you view it the same as that?

I don't think yabu to be worried. I'm fully vaccinated, DH too. Obviously 17 month old isn't but hopefully has some antibiotics through breast milk. We have flights to UK (my home) next week. It's a short haul flight. I'm nervous and a bit anxious to go but I haven't seen my family in 2 and a half years so I'm going. It's worth the risk to me.
But we are being very careful before we go and when we're there.

I go to playgroups here and DH still has to go to work so I see the risk similar, especially since before our flight we need tested, everyone will have masks on and so far, the plane is quite empty

I probably wouldn't, no.

If you were only planning to spend Christmas day at home the two of you - i.e. it wouldn't matter too much if you were positive (with a mild case) and just hanging out at home - I'd be less concerned, but if you do end up positive, either while you're there or when you get home, you'll be spending Christmas day by yourself, which is rubbish.

I see his point, too - getting the tube, going to bars etc is much the same risk, especially bars as you're in them for a while. So I can see why he thinks your approach makes little sense or is inconsistent. And a short flight (I'm assuming either Gib or IoM?) is probably not that much more risky than anything else you're doing, although obviously recycled air doesn't help.

Will his family do LFTs etc in the run up?

No way

I'm slightly worried about catching it myself, but I don't have much choice to stay at home as my work is public facing and not a job I can do from home.

If I had the option, I'd not be going anywhere much.

As it is, weirdly, I feel as if I may as well go out and do social things as I'm unable to avoid other people at work! Probably slightly warped logic, but there you are.

I'm wouldn't as I am worried too - but then I haven't used public transport, restaurants or pubs.

Can you drive there?

I'm pregnant and I am going short haul to see my family for Christmas with my toddler. I'm tripple vaccinated and I only ever wear the really tight fitting masks.

Airports have been quite empty this year. Obviously around Christmas it might be different. But I haven't had any problem so far. People are wearing their masks and keeping a distance.

No

We have a critically vulnerable person in the household, so we are always at the more precautionary end of decision making.

But as well as disinclination to be on a plane or moving through other public transport with loads of other people (because I don't have faith that air filtration is all that it's cracked up to be or that all travellers will have diligent testing technique, the amount of travel embuggerations with changes to testing and quarantine arrangements at both ends, making sure insurance is covid-proof etc just puts me off

Yes, the Tube is also a risk. But that's not a justification for adding more risks in other ways

I wouldn't, no. Planes are hot beds for viruses. I would rather spend Christmas with my own family than run the risk of having to self-isolate for it, particularly as you aren't staying there for Christmas. If it's in the UK, is it not possible for either of you to drive there?

If you don't go would your partner go anyway, without you? If so, he could catch it and pass it on to you anyway, so the risk isn't much lower (unless you would plan to isolate from him on his return). If not, I think it's a bit unfair to make him cancel seeing his family because you're worried about missing out on Christmas with your own family.

I don't think you're being silly to be worried, but I do think you're being unreasonable if you force your partner to prioritise your family over his.

YANBU - end of Nov I travelled abroad. I was slightly worried about it due to possibly coming into contact with someone and having to isolate, but went anyway, and caught Covid on the plane home. This close to Christmas I wouldn't risk having to isolate away from family!

I wouldn't go as I think it's best to limit contact at the moment.

You also might end up sitting next to a very infectious child on a plane who's not wearing a mask.

Too many unknowns at the moment, so I wouldn't be going.

I am asthmatic, so I’m obviously concerned about catching covid, which is why I’m triple jabbed. I also believe we have to get on with our lives and learn to live with this virus, so yes I would be happy to take a short-haul flight.

I've been on eight flights in the last six months, multiple gigs and shows, restaurants etc and was fine. Got Covid visiting a friend one on one at her home. I'd probably still go.

@IgneousRock

If you don't go would your partner go anyway, without you? If so, he could catch it and pass it on to you anyway, so the risk isn't much lower (unless you would plan to isolate from him on his return). If not, I think it's a bit unfair to make him cancel seeing his family because you're worried about missing out on Christmas with your own family.

I don't think you're being silly to be worried, but I do think you're being unreasonable if you force your partner to prioritise your family over his.

This really. Is this your Christmas visit to see your partners family? Will he go without you? How much of a family unit are you? We’re due to have my family Christmas this coming weekend. If DH backed out to protect his family Christmas I’d be pretty pissed off.

Are there testing requirements before your flight?

I have to say I felt very safe on the plane and also in the airport; everyone seemed very aware - always had masks on/sanitising all the time. Obviously it has to be your call and if you don’t feel comfortable then absolutely don’t go, but I definitely didn’t feel any more “at risk” than I do popping to the shops.

I had my booster today and although I don't take unnecessary risks I'm not that concerned about covid 'for me'. I take frequent LTFs and I'm extra careful if I'm coming into contact with vulnerable people in the near future.

For me it would depend on how much value I placed on Xmas plans vs the trip. So, for example, next weekend I'm travelling and seeing my family, with DD, including my unvaccinated (idiot) brother. But, if we pick it up it's not the end of days, we'll just isolate at Christmas and FaceTime DH's family (who we're meant to be spending it with).

If my Christmas plans would be totally destroyed by catching it I probably wouldn't go on the trip (or the tube) just before.

Just to answer a few qs..

my partner is def going regardless - it's just the case of me coming as well for a few days before Xmas or him going alone. So yes there's a risk of him going and catching it then passing it to me on the return (which I am nervous about of course) but I would not be seeing him again until after I have had Xmas with my family. So the risk of catching it before and having to isolate alone at Xmas is negated.

• for various irrelevant reasons - no we cannot go via any method other than plane

• he has vaguely suggested his family do ltr but I don't know if this would actually happen/how he would go about suggesting it or enforcing it and the little nephews-nieces certainly wouldnt (nor would I expect them to)

I think I'm doubting myself because of the comments he has made about me getting the tube and other risks such as restaurants etc. I'm quite a fair/logical person and I'm struggling to decide if I am being unfair/illogical to have been willing to get the tube (and I will do so again this evening to see him!!) but not get a plane for a similar length of time. But then I think if someone next to me on a tube had Covid and is wearing a mask then it's unlikely they'll be the same people for the whole journey - people get on and off every few stops, tube doors open every 30 seconds or so, I open the ventilated windows at the end of the carriages etc etc... I can always decided "no this tube is too packed for me, I'll wait for another" whereas on a plane it'll be full of people all in the same close proximity to me. I guess I'm also feeling a bit nervous about travelling back via plane alone as I'm always a bit nervous flying alone (but usually would do this) but now I've developed anxiety I'm concerned I might get more anxious and panicky on my own

I do feel guilty as I haven't met most of his family who I would be meeting if I go and apparently all have been looking forward to meeting me etc.... ugh bloody Covid!

I guess also the thing about the tube comparison is that I've done it many times now and I've been fine so in my head it doesn't seem as scary/risky as the plane. As I haven't flown since Covid...

Sorry, also meant to say the same thing re restaurants etc and going out.. I guess I've been doing these things for months now and have managed to avoid it but a) new variant being more transmissible and b) not having tried the whole airport/plane thing means it feels more risky still as it's something I haven't done tested yet.. so a few days before Xmas seems a risky time to do it

Hell no. DH & I have just tested positive, I'm pretty sure I caught it on the train last week, I had a medical appointment. We really don't go anywhere much else that we'd be as likely to catch it. DD is currently negative, despite her school bubble being closed.

I’d be worried yes.
I would be worried I’d get stuck there or isolating on the way back as rules change so quickly.

However, it’s really important to him. So I might suck it up that, more so if your then going to feel like your being judged if you take the tube or go to a restaurant but didn’t “make the effort” for his family.

If you have vulnerable family your hoping to visit at Christmas I wouldn’t consider it.

@Rosiestraws

I guess also the thing about the tube comparison is that I've done it many times now and I've been fine so in my head it doesn't seem as scary/risky as the plane. As I haven't flown since Covid...

The tube is actually worse. At least on planes you have to wear a decent mask. People are generally quite aware too. Plus air flow and filters help on the plane.

No, I wouldn’t - the thought of being in close proximity to lots of other people doesn’t really appeal. I’m not going to bars or restaurants either for the same reason though, so can see where your DP is coming from.

I am also really worried about catching it (and prbably moreso passing it on to my asthmatic dad/others) but have travelled to visit my sister and her newborn last week. I also travelled in October to see my parents abroad. Both times the airports were half empty. It's the only place I've been in the last year with every single person wearing a mask, plus on each of the flights I haven't been sat next to someone.

YANBU to be worried but I would recommend you still go. I weighed up the risks and would have had to just accept it if I caught covid while away but seeing my family was worth the risk to me. I'd rather have to isolate abd have to spend Christmas alone than have missed the chance to meet my new nephew and so I made the decision with my eyes open.

I wouldn't worry about the airport or the flight. I've done 4 flights to the US since August and it's been ok. I think as long as you wear a well fitting mask like an FFP2 or KN95, the flight should be ok. If it's short haul, you can keep your mask on and not eat or drink. My bigger worry would be his family. But If they are all double vaxxed then they might be willing to take extra precautions and take lateral flow tests and keep windows open etc. In the end it's your call. Do what makes the most sense to you. If people don't agree then they don't agree. As my DF used to say, "You can't carry the world with you. Some people will have to be left behind" Maybe not everyone will be on board but it's your decision. Do what feels right to you.

No