Temper your expectations regarding behavior…….

I won't be traveling until at least next Fall. I expect the current wave of "Pandemic's over!" to produce a bumper crop of new cases for Spring/Summer. Will see how bad and what the response is to that before making plans.

Yes, this is exactly how I felt upon arrival in London. One shopkeeper asked if I wanted him to wear a mask, but otherwise everyone was mostly mask-less. Hard not to cringe at every uncovered sneeze or cough, too, but all we can do is protect ourselves the best we can--which is how I look at it when at home as well.

To be fair, that's how even the formerly covid-cautions parts of the US are now, too.

*Where I live has been fairly careful with covid, and mask compliance was high. Until recently, the local CVS was a "masks requested" holdout. I went in there today and only the pharmacist and one customer were wearing masks- not the pharmacy assistants, any other staff, or any other customers.

(*edited to add)

Scudder is right. In my city, you do see masks, but far more don’t wear them.

Thanks for the insight. That’s pretty much what I expect to see when I’m there in a few weeks.

This probably will not allay any concerns but…. Some of the sneezing coughing this time of year is due to allergies. I am often in London in the mid May time frame. Coughing and sneezing is pretty much a given for me. Once I get inside for a bit the symptoms subside. I’ll be taking my meds and masking outdoors to minimize my allergy symptoms. And I’m taking self test kits to monitor during my trip.

Some of us are still wearing masks, food shopping at 9pm to avoid crowds, avoiding busy towns and cities, not eating in indoor restaurants or visiting indoor museums etc or taking public transport, but you won’t see the likes of me, as I won’t be going anywhere where you are likely to be!

I wouldn’t be worried just about the test home, but also the real prospect of catching Covid mid trip. Several friends in the past month have been badly affected by Covid, as not everyone is asymptomatic. Take all the precautions you can and try to enjoy the trip.

Good topic, Carol. I confess that at this point our paradigm is vaccinations/booster, stay home if sick, try not to get too close to other people, and otherwise forget about Covid. We have no confidence in govt rules that many govt officials don't follow consistently themselves. And we know families where they all had Covid, but only half of them ever tested positive, so I have zero confidence in the tests. I do plan to wear a KN95 mask on the Tube and take an oximeter in case we get sick. I'm not going to worry about Covid indefinitely and it looks like that's how long it will be with us. And Rocket is right about allergies-my nose has been slightly stuffy for 3 mo now and I do cough a little when my throat is irritated, but I've had no fatigue or headache, so don't think it's Covid-related.

food shopping at 9pm to avoid crowds

This is something I plan to never give up. I have grown to almost enjoy grocery shopping since I started going late during Covid. I used to hate it with a passion.

I attended Woodstock for Capitalists this weekend. Out of 20,000 people from all over the world in a packed arena, maybe 100 masks were in sight over the entire 2 days. Didn't see any masks during the 5K Run/Walk.

Suppose there might be a lot of sick Millionaires over the next few days?

I hope Charlie (and Warren) was wearing one when he wasn't on the podium.

Missed my first meeting (other than last two years) since 2010. Hated not being there.

I have been in Europe for the past month. I am currently in Finland. My flight from Stockholm was mask optional. I chose to wear one. A few others did as well. At the airport I got looks from people but there were a few wearing masks.

In Helsinki there are no mask rules. However, I was surprised to see a few people wearing masks in the local supermarket.

In Stockholm, no masks anywhere.

I'm off to the UK at the end off the week and don't expect to see many masks.

But masks alone won't save you. As I've posted on the forum, I was on a two week tour in Greece. All indoor activities, except meals, but including time on the coach, required the wearing of masks. Half the group tested positive while testing for the return. Greece, at the time, required mask wearing indoors and proof of vaccination.

The wearing of the mask in SF depends on the district you are in at the moment. In some districts, neighborhoods ca 98% wear it., ie, just about everyone , in some I would say 50% or even less. Over the week-end I was walking the stretch from Pier 39 to the Ferry Building, ie the tourist area here. Lots of people, lots of visitors, most did not have it on. If they board the bus, they put it on.

On BART almost everyone has it on. That was on the news a couple of days ago that BART's "authorities" have re-imposed the mask mandate after that judge in FL lifted it. I always wear the mask regardless, inside and outside the malls, whenever out and about.. period.

So far, no looks or else I'm so oblivious that I don't notice it. If I did get that look, especially in a tourist area here from one unmasked and obviously a tourist, I'd shoot back with the "how dare you look"

Eric, not too sure if they were walking around shaking hands. I doubt they were wearing masks but there was probably more distancing for them.

"At the airport I got looks from people but there were a few wearing masks."

How do you know you are getting looks unless you are giving looks yourself?

It can be tough if you are a protocol follower

It really isn't tough to follow the protocols of your host country. As for what to expect, research the rules of your upcoming host country and expect nothing more and you won't be disappointed. If you aren't going to be comfortable, I get it; choose your destinations accordingly.

James E, I think you missed my point. Traveling to places that have protocols are different than you are used to can be a bit of a challenge mentally, but the traveler needs to adapt/accept things as they are as part of travel. I am pretty sure we are saying similar things…….

I’m currently on a Road Scholar tour in Belgium. I am the only one masking on the bus and during group activities.

The focal point of the tour is Art History but unfortunately the main lecturer tested positive for Covid on Friday and they were not able to find a replacement, so no art history so far. Road Scholar has a system where they have group leaders who do the administrative stuff so that is OK but the educational component is missing.

No masking in Belgium except on public transport.

So Pam......are they talking partial refund or credit towards another tour?

Frank, I’d say the group leader has zero authority in this matter. I’m pretty sure he’d evade answering. I think people will need to deal with the Boston office on that.

Pam, I was jyst wondering if the tour company had been in touch or changed the itinerary?

I’m in Portugal now on a tour and my husband just tested positive. Last night. The hotel put me in another room. I tested negative. No one was wearing masks. We are very stressed out because when can we get back? We have dogs. And how bad will it get? How long? Not a good feeling having such little control. I haven’t seen stories about people getting it overseas, just people knowing people that got it. Story remains to be told.,

@Mallory. If negative you can go back as scheduled, deal with dogs, etc. Husband can follow when negative test or certificate of recovery

Frank, I talked to the guide a bit while we were waiting for others to gather after lunch. I knew Road Scholar sub contracts it’s tours out and apparently there is a new subcontractor this year for the Belgium and Netherlands tours. My guide has done this program for about 7 years and he says this company is not doing well with planning. He would not tell me who the company is but when I asked about a specific one he said no. The local guide for the Brussels program today said she was just contacted yesterday to do the walk and the museum tour today.

I expect more surprises are in store. There is one high maintenance person on the tour who is not flexing well. 🙄. Hint…it’s not me.

Carol now retired; I think you are correct, we agree But you are one of those special people here, as when I don't think we agree I usually end up learning from you.

@ Pam...."I'm the only one masking on the bus and during group activities" Bravo !

If I were on that bus and tour, I would certainly do likewise. You would not be alone in that wise decision. On the bus I'm masking here, so why not over there?