Should we travel to see grandparents?

[Anonymous]

We're thinking of visiting my parents in the rural Midwest for a couple of weeks. Our kids would be able to be somewhere other than our house for a change, see their grandparents, and play in nature.

I really don't want to put my parents at risk, so we would quarantine for 2 weeks before leaving. The drive is supposed to be about 18 hours (not including stops, etc), so it's a long way. We would bring our own food to reduce contact along the way, and I think it would be fine to gas up with the self-service pay pumps and sanitizer afterwards. But I'm not entirely certain how to best handle bathrooms and staying overnight. We toyed with the idea of camping, although we aren't generally people who do a lot of camping. We could bring our own portable toilet to use along the way and dump out at our destination, but that seems super weird and possibly not even feasible.

The quarantine would also mean 2 weeks without friends, plus two weeks with all adults (my parents, plus us). We have barely seen anyone outside our family since early March, and we just recently let our older kid meet up with a friend outdoors with a mask. We've been super cautious, but I also saw how important it was for him to have this friend contact. I'm sad we would have to cut that out for another month if we do this.

Is it worth it? Am I overthinking the driving part?

[Anonymous]

You could catch covid on the way. Pretty much every state on your way is spiking with cases.


Your kids can play in nature closer to home.

I don’t think it’s worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

This seems to be a very controversial issue.

We just did it for my parents - drove to the midwest. I didn't want to do it, but my parents were basically begging.

We have been home for 7 days now and I think we all made it through ok.

Worst part was the bathrooms/food on the journey-- but we wore masks, used a lot of hand sanitizer and wipes and were as careful as you can be without not doing it.

I know other grandparents that really don't want the risk, and I'd respect that too.

[Anonymous]

I can’t think of anything that’s worst risking my parents’ lives. Or my kids’ lives.

[Anonymous]

We’ve seen both sets of grandparents (70 something yo) regularly since May. Inlaws are coming this week to spend a few weeks with us! I say go for it.

[Anonymous]

What do your parents think?

[Anonymous]

I think we’ve reached the point where the answer to all non-essential travel is “no”. For those of us following the statistics and latest findings, inter-state travel is a bad idea on all counts.

It’s hard for all of us separated from our families but we have to take a united stand to stop the rapid spread and death.

[Anonymous]

You would be contributing to viral spread, just like all the travelers currently visiting people or going to restaurants, etc...

Just because others are being thoughtless doesn’t mean you need to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we’ve reached the point where the answer to all non-essential travel is “no”. For those of us following the statistics and latest findings, inter-state travel is a bad idea on all counts.

It’s hard for all of us separated from our families but we have to take a united stand to stop the rapid spread and death.

+1.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Genuinely not understanding why people think there is such a risk of infecting them. Did you all read what I said? We would be quarantining for 2 weeks ahead of time. Like, literally not even going to the grocery store. The only risk point I see is the possibility of having to go to the bathroom along the way, and I said we're thinking of bringing a portapotty.

To date, we have been exceedingly cautious -- way more cautious than all the other people I know. Are those of you who are saying this not doing the things I'm seeing my friends do here (that we have NOT been doing) -- like sending your kids to camp, going to the pool, meeting up with friends, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Genuinely not understanding why people think there is such a risk of infecting them. Did you all read what I said? We would be quarantining for 2 weeks ahead of time. Like, literally not even going to the grocery store. The only risk point I see is the possibility of having to go to the bathroom along the way, and I said we're thinking of bringing a portapotty.

To date, we have been exceedingly cautious -- way more cautious than all the other people I know. Are those of you who are saying this not doing the things I'm seeing my friends do here (that we have NOT been doing) -- like sending your kids to camp, going to the pool, meeting up with friends, etc?

It’s still a risk, OP, an unnecessary risk. My family and I are not doing any of the things you listed and still not doing any traveling.

Yes, we all read what you wrote.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are being smart and want to go. Yes, it is a risk. Some on here would take it, others clearly wouldn’t. To give a counter data point, we are also driving to the Midwest to visit grandparents in August. Are stopping at a hotel to sleep. Will take normal precautions like masks and disposable gloves and hand sanitizer but are not considering bringing our own food or doing a port a potty. So, clearly on the more risky side than you if it makes you feel better!

[Anonymous]

We drove to a Covid hot zone to see older grandparents. It was not a hot zone when we planned the trip but became one. The bigger risk to our family is not seeing them for another year or more or never if God forbid. We took the precautions you are discussing. Plus we used a travel potty to avoid going inside, and got grocery delivery when we arrived, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are being smart and want to go. Yes, it is a risk. Some on here would take it, others clearly wouldn’t. To give a counter data point, we are also driving to the Midwest to visit grandparents in August. Are stopping at a hotel to sleep. Will take normal precautions like masks and disposable gloves and hand sanitizer but are not considering bringing our own food or doing a port a potty. So, clearly on the more risky side than you if it makes you feel better!

Why would you being irresponsible and stupid make OP feel better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We drove to a Covid hot zone to see older grandparents. It was not a hot zone when we planned the trip but became one. The bigger risk to our family is not seeing them for another year or more or never if God forbid. We took the precautions you are discussing. Plus we used a travel potty to avoid going inside, and got grocery delivery when we arrived, etc.

Can I ask how you made the travel potty work? Did the grownups go in it, too? Did you hide in the back of a minivan and pee in it? I"m not sure I understand how it would logistically work with adults in a car. Do you go outside in a woods with it?