MASTER Cancel Travel b/c of COVID-19 Questions Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, my Mother returned yesterday from a 5 week trip in Italy which included the Lombardy region. She was not with a tour group but traveled the country and spent most of her time in public spaces. When she arrived in the US, they did not ask where she'd been in Italy only where her flight originated and if she was bringing back more than $10k in cash. No questions about her visit, symptoms, etc. They did not address the virus at all. She contacted her doctor who said no reason to test if she isn't experiencing symptoms. She is in a self initiated quarantine but the airline, airport, customs agent, nor her doctor were concerned at all. For all the bombarding information on the news and internet, it's interesting to me that they aren't even asking more in-depth questions or screenings those who are traveling from an infected area into the U.S. For this reason, I wouldn't cancel any travel plans.

A
Colleague of mine just cancelled a visit to her family in Sicily because she was afraid she would have to wfh with her daughter also not allowed to go to school and her housemate freaking out... sad.

She also lost her airfare costs!!!

Really? I thought airfare to Italy was under the fee waiving rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, my Mother returned yesterday from a 5 week trip in Italy which included the Lombardy region. She was not with a tour group but traveled the country and spent most of her time in public spaces. When she arrived in the US, they did not ask where she'd been in Italy only where her flight originated and if she was bringing back more than $10k in cash. No questions about her visit, symptoms, etc. They did not address the virus at all. She contacted her doctor who said no reason to test if she isn't experiencing symptoms. She is in a self initiated quarantine but the airline, airport, customs agent, nor her doctor were concerned at all. For all the bombarding information on the news and internet, it's interesting to me that they aren't even asking more in-depth questions or screenings those who are traveling from an infected area into the U.S. For this reason, I wouldn't cancel any travel plans.

I had a mammogram at Washington Radiology this morning and had to complete a form with specific fever/coronavirus/recent travel questions. I think anyone returning from one of the hot spots should be told to self-isolate for at least a week.

[Anonymous]

My husband I disagreed about cancelling European spring break travel. I wanted to go and he didn't.

The decision is out of our hands now, the tour company canceled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband I disagreed about cancelling European spring break travel. I wanted to go and he didn't.

The decision is out of our hands now, the tour company canceled.

Lucky! I would love to be canceled and have the decision taken away from me.

[Anonymous]

I want to go to St. Pete Beach in Florida in June... is it too much of a risk that my flight will be canceled?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband I disagreed about cancelling European spring break travel. I wanted to go and he didn't.

The decision is out of our hands now, the tour company canceled.

Which countries / cities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to present at a giant health conference in Orlando next week (40,000+ attendees). Scheduled to leave on Saturday, conference lasts a week. A bunch of major vendors have backed out, but apparently it's still on. Boss says I can back out if I want.

DH and toddler are supposed to come with and hang with my inlaws, but we're all reconsidering now.

40,000 attendees from all over? I'd cancel....and it's a health conference!

And the decision was made for me! Conference cancelled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to present at a giant health conference in Orlando next week (40,000+ attendees). Scheduled to leave on Saturday, conference lasts a week. A bunch of major vendors have backed out, but apparently it's still on. Boss says I can back out if I want.

DH and toddler are supposed to come with and hang with my inlaws, but we're all reconsidering now.

40,000 attendees from all over? I'd cancel....and it's a health conference!

And the decision was made for me! Conference cancelled.

Yet they still haven't cancelled SXSW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Going to present at a giant health conference in Orlando next week (40,000+ attendees). Scheduled to leave on Saturday, conference lasts a week. A bunch of major vendors have backed out, but apparently it's still on. Boss says I can back out if I want.

DH and toddler are supposed to come with and hang with my inlaws, but we're all reconsidering now.

40,000 attendees from all over? I'd cancel....and it's a health conference!

And the decision was made for me! Conference cancelled.

Yet they still haven't cancelled SXSW.

For the same reason most other things have no been cancelled. Corporate greed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, my Mother returned yesterday from a 5 week trip in Italy which included the Lombardy region. She was not with a tour group but traveled the country and spent most of her time in public spaces. When she arrived in the US, they did not ask where she'd been in Italy only where her flight originated and if she was bringing back more than $10k in cash. No questions about her visit, symptoms, etc. They did not address the virus at all. She contacted her doctor who said no reason to test if she isn't experiencing symptoms. She is in a self initiated quarantine but the airline, airport, customs agent, nor her doctor were concerned at all. For all the bombarding information on the news and internet, it's interesting to me that they aren't even asking more in-depth questions or screenings those who are traveling from an infected area into the U.S. For this reason, I wouldn't cancel any travel plans.

A
Colleague of mine just cancelled a visit to her family in Sicily because she was afraid she would have to wfh with her daughter also not allowed to go to school and her housemate freaking out... sad.

She also lost her airfare costs!!!

Really? I thought airfare to Italy was under the fee waiving rules.

I think it was an american airline and they refused her the refund because The flight is not to northern Italy

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Is it lost on the people in this thread that the NY case doesn’t seem to be travel related at all? That’s why I am not stopping traveling.

And it seems to be lost on you that travel is how this thing has made it to nearly 90 countries worldwide.

But lots of people who stayed put got it too!

Thanks to travelers who can’t stay put. Just travelers from or to Italy exported Coronavirus to some 40 countries.

This needs to be repeated.. repeatedly.

But what's your point? You want to shut down all air travel now? Then say that. No need to throw blame around.

Blame? These are facts.

Since it needs to be more clear out for you:

* All unnecessary travel is short sighted/foolish/egocentric and puts individuals, communities, states, and countries at risk.*

Okay great. Then have these big rich corporations GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK. We'll wait.

Has anyone considered the consequences of statements like this - that everybody simply cancel all plans until further notice? Do you know the impact that would have on people? And I don't mean the airline or Disney or the corporation issuing the refund... I mean you, and me, and the majority of Americans. Because let's say people stop travelling and going to the movies and going to shows and going to restaurants... do you know what happens eventually? Those companies lose money and do you think they're going to pony up from the CEO's pockets to make up the difference? No. They're going to fire people. And do you think the government, with it's deficit in the trillions, can step in and make up the difference? Sure, but what are they going to cut in order to do that?

**You are not wrong in saying that travel is a huge factor and shouldn't be taken lightly, but NEITHER should what you are saying. The economy IS a big deal to EVERYONE, not just for a politician trying to get reelected. Wanna know why it's important for reelection? BECAUSE THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR VOTERS.

You can think about temporary measures as a ding to your wallet. I’m focusing on temporary measures that definitely impact me economically but are better for communities and lives of my fellow humans.

Personal irresponsibility that could critically injure or take the life of someone else because I just don’t want to miss Disney or the Bahamas or wherever is not my style.

I’m sure the economies of places like Singapore and Hong Kong that have responsible governments and responsible citizens will bounce back and likely a lot quicker than we will as we drag this on as long as possible because heaven forbid we are inconvenienced for a little while.

That's the thing, though... it's not just a "ding to your wallet." A recession/depression affects everyone for a long time. Look, I'm not saying that we need to take steps for the better of our communities, but what I AM saying is those steps ARE A BIG DEAL. It's not smart to pretend that they aren't.

When did I say those steps were not a big deal. I’m full aware of the huge economic impact.

Ignoring a pandemic that multiplying is by the day is also a big deal. Ignoring that actions we take effect the life or death of others is a big deal. Ignoring the impact that this will cause on our healthcare system is a big deal. Ignoring the fact that when this thing gets out of control in your community and everything shuts down anyway which will impact your local economy too is a big deal.

It’s also not smart to ignore these things. Acting preventively is always smarter than reactively.

..... only if it turns out the way you described. It might. It might not. It doesn't matter which side I think is more likely but it's clear the US government (and several others across the globe making similar choices) think that taking drastic preventative measures and guaranteeing a huge impact was more risky than letting the virus run it's course and see what happens. AGAIN, I do not know that this is the right choice but neither do you... yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband I disagreed about cancelling European spring break travel. I wanted to go and he didn't.

The decision is out of our hands now, the tour company canceled.

Which countries / cities?

France and Belgium

[Anonymous]

I haven't figured out how to search individual threads, so apologies if this has been addressed, but what would you do if you have already booked a cruise (Disney to be exact) with kids for mid-April.

I'm torn between:

cancelling (right now, I'd only lose my deposit);

holding out and waiting to see if Disney will start canceling and hopefully I'll get a full refund; or

recognizing that we're all healthy, it likely won't be an issue, and enjoying ourselves (at the risk of getting stuck on the boat/quarantined).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even if you aren’t at high risk, aren’t you nervous about being quarantined if the situation changes while on your trip?

I mean if they feed me and pay my salary and I am not in a shithole I am totally ok with it.

....

They're not going to pay you. That's between you and your job which I'm pretty sure will require you (and most people) to take unpaid leave. That's what happened to the corona ship tourists who weren't retired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't figured out how to search individual threads, so apologies if this has been addressed, but what would you do if you have already booked a cruise (Disney to be exact) with kids for mid-April.

I'm torn between:

cancelling (right now, I'd only lose my deposit);

holding out and waiting to see if Disney will start canceling and hopefully I'll get a full refund; or

recognizing that we're all healthy, it likely won't be an issue, and enjoying ourselves (at the risk of getting stuck on the boat/quarantined).

I love Disney and Disney cruises. I would not get on a cruise right now. I would try to get a credit. I would not want to get stuck on a cruise ship.

That being said, we have plans to go to Florida for spring break and we plan on going. We were going to a theme park but may just hang out at the beach instead.