Covid restrictions derailing travel, and my unique situation.....thoughts?

Hi Kate, I feel like most of the world is past the point, for the next months/weeks anyway, of restrictions, maybe permanently past them. I just don't see another March 2020-style world lockdown happening where you would be stuck and could not go anywhere.

One thing I've learned with regards to travel during this pandemic is if not now, when? The situation can change quickly, but if it seems stable when you are ready to go, go. I changed a few trips during the early Omicron days, thinking "surely in x weeks it will be better" but in fact it was worse.

I hope you go AND you are able to fully enjoy your trip without too much stress.

I understand completely. Due to multiple family members getting the shot before me and ending up with heart issues I am not advised to take it. I just booked tickets for Greece this morning. We got covid 3 weeks ago and are completely recovered and now are seeking the letter of recovery to return to US without testing. Greece has said it will stay open until 8/31, but all things change. I did buy refundable plane tickets and we are stopping in US on way to Athens and then stopping in AMS on way home as Netherlands information says I can transit their airport if I am going to a non Schengen country. The constant changing and unknowns are so stressful. I will buy travel insurance even though I was completely burned by the pandemic and Australia. Because we have the letter of recovery within 90 days we are going for it, after many many many hours of what do I do. I would go as soon as possible and hope things don't change, and buy refundable plane tickets and travel insurance and hope whatever comes up is covered.

Unfortunately, you are asking questions that nobody else can answer for you, other than unsatisfying platitudes like "it depends" or "you have to decide what's best for you". Everyone's situation is different -- except we all have to make some tough calls.

I would caution you to take a hard look at any assumptions you may have about the odds of getting COVID again just because you had it previously. Here's an article addressing that. The important bit says this:

"As a stealth wave of COVID-19 makes its way across the U.S., those who have so far evaded the virus are now falling ill — while others are catching COVID-19 for a second, third or even fourth time...The latest versions of the virus appear particularly adept at evading the body’s immune response from both past COVID-19 infections and vaccines."

Article is syndicated from Bloomberg, and appears (here - linked below) in my home town newspaper, The Seattle Times (I'm sure it's available elsewhere, too):

Had COVID at Christmas? You could get it again now

A lot of people declare confidently that they are "done with COVID" and have moved on. As the clever commercial says, "Good for you - but Shingles doesn't care!" COVID is not done with us. We may decide to "move on" or "let it rip" or "learn to live with it", but as much as we all want to put the pandemic behind us, there's no certainty that we will all "get away" with doing that.

Personally, I am still traveling -- v e r y carefully -- but every trip I contemplate or eventually book is viewed through the lens of dealing with pandemic fallout. I only book things that can be canceled (and I've cancelled a lot of bookings!). You have to decide what's right for you, be smart, and remain flexible.

I am here in Europe now my 2nd trip in the last 10 months. Unlike my last trip It seems people have moved on. There is socializing, drinking in the streets, and eating on the trains. Last night I went to my first in door live music club. The band was from America on tour like 2 years ago resuming the way they use to make a living. On the plane over, no one wore masks, my seat mates were retired seniors on their way to join a cruise . I saw other seniors on the flight doing the same excited about traveling. No thought about COVID. The flight was completely full. I have been wearing my mask on public transportation depending on if I hear sneezing or coughing, a sound it seems I notice more now than the last time when there was a mask mandate everywhere.

Kate, I hear you. Going to France (and traveling) has been so central to my life and identity that I felt like I was losing myself. (And yes, I'm privileged to be able to say that I didn't suffer a worse impact during the pandemic.) I went to France last September and just got back from another trip there, and finally feel like "me" again.

Yes, the changing landscape is stressful -- but so is worrying about strikes and other big events like weather that can dent our travel plans. But at some point, the desire will outweigh the aggravation -- or you'll put the aggravation on the back burner for a bit. You're already doing a good job planning for contingencies, like your husband's ability to work from France. You're in good shape. :)

When my plane landed in Paris in September 2021, after two years of not being to go, and I got to a cafe that morning and had a steaming cafe crème, and looked at the street life in Montmartre -- it was all worth it. I hope you feel that way soon.

Kate,
I agree with what the previous posters have all said, and David is absolutely right.....you can get covid more than once....we know several people who thought they could not, but then surprise!
As someone who is choosing not to travel right now (two Pfizers/two booster shots) because my spouse would be a 5-category risk, if you are not otherwise concerned, I would likely suggest to still plan to take the trip.
Each of our situations is different, and no one can make the decision other than you. You will know what is right for your situation.
My situation is that we have been blessed to do a lot of travel in previous years....all 7 continents, plus Greenland/New Zealand, and multiple trips to Europe,, many USA/Canada/Caribbean, etc. destinations, too. Still places we would love to visit, but not just yet.

But one thing for sure: Covid will be with the world for a really long time. It is not going anywhere. So, you just kinda have to decide when the sweet spot is for you. Will there be future spikes of new variants? Likely. Could rules change? Likely. But, can you just make the best decision possible (and use trip insurance, if appropriate)? YES.

The only caution I would give about July is that it can be darn hot in France at that time....our first Rick Steves' trip years ago was the Paris and the Heart of France, and we suffered in the heat for the first couple of days, then it eased up a bit. But, just like with Covid, there are no guarantees on the weather....it could be absolutely lovely when you go.

If you have the flexibility to stay in France a bit longer, if the test requirements are still there when you are due to fly home, then maybe the answer is 'yes."

And, without being a total "Debbie Downer," infectious disease experts will tell you there is a good likelihood for more pandemics in the future........so, there is a chance we all look back fondly on Covid someday saying, "At least we had vaccines back then."

If it works out, please post how it goes. I am learning a lot by reading from current travelers.

Life is short. Manage risks, but Live Life...we only get to do it once.

Hi all. Thanks for the input. I do know I could get Covid again. The one caveat is that my doctor is monitoring my wild antibodies, which are good and consistent. I tend to overract versus underreact to things. I literally NEVER got the flu before Covid came around, even when around ill people. I know I could get it again....I just think monitoring antibodies gives me information that others might not have. Logistics is my bigger concern. And you are right, that I have to weigh the issues. I agree that being able to cancel last minute is a good way to deal with it. That makes sense to me. And, does that sound fun? Not as much. We are also toying with a non-international trip to Myrtle Beach or somewhere like that. I appreciate everything everyone has been saying. It's true that I can't count on things being stable - just can't. But all the comments about - take the sweet spot when you can, and the person who felt like they weren't living their best life without going, have helped me too. EVERY comment has been so helpful and helping me to re-evaluate. I too have been depressed about things to the point that I feel I need to do something. I got injured and then I was like - will I ever travel again? I have one practitioner saying I should never get any kind of vaccine, because I had a more minor reaction to a different vaccine a long time ago. This one though was severe. So, if I want to live life, risk will just be there for me - regardless.

Ugh. I can't believe it has been 5 years since an international trip. I go every two years. So, truly, everything being said, is helping me look at this from all sides.

The virus is circulating in Europe, but with so many people vaccinated and/ or having had a form of the virus, hospitalizations are manageable for the medical community. People are living with the virus as they do with other infectious diseases, at least for the moment.

I just arrived in the US and am surprised at the lack of masks. The vaccination rate is lower and many people have co-morbidities. I'd travel in Europe before traveling in the US, and I'd pay to upgrade to the highest class seat you can afford in the airplane.

Thanks for the input. Honestly, I don't worry about Covid anymore - no disrespect. I know it is/can be serious. But at this point, I just go about my life normally and don't do extra things. I had one shot, got hurt, and then had Covid and have great antibodies, and I just stopped worrying for my own mental health, which was going completely downhill with that being the one and only focus. I don't watch the news. I don't worry about it. I assume I am here till I am not. I just worry about logistics and whether I will be welcome places and can go to museums and restaurants. That's all I've got. Ironically, we went looking for tickets tonight to buy, but couldn't. We have an eCredit with Delta we need to use from our pre-pandemic canceled trip, and the site went down, and has been down for 20 minutes. Last time we made reservations, only one of ours went through and I had a faux ticket (an itinerary) that my hubby's real ticket was attached to....we ended up canceling after two hours of trying to fix it. I am starting to think it's a sign. Maybe God just thinks I can't take the logistical stress. It's not been a good year for me. Just starting to feel physically better. Maybe it's better for me to go sit on a beach somewhere, go horseback riding, read a book, and catch France later. My French has gotten very good, and I want to use it at some point. Our pre-pandemic trip was to the Loire Valley and I would like to get a shot at that again. We will check flights again tomorrow.

I am just back from France having to get tested to come back was a thing. It loomed over you. I thought I was positive, but lucky I was not. It was a stressor. I will not travel internationally again until the US lifts this reentry requirement.

Thank you for your responses and from the recent returner from France. I haven't been able to make any travel arrangements yet. Too frozen because I don't know how I will feel about having to test to return, i.e. will it cloud my vacation? It seems like it clouded the recent return from France. Saying a prayer today about what to do. Thanks everyone for your help.

Obviously, I take Covid into consideration when I travel regardless of my two Pfizer shots and one Pfizer booster. The 2nd Pfizer booster will be done before May is out.

It's encouraging and most reassuring that that vaxxed rates are higher in France, slightly less in Germany but comparable in Calif. Regardless, riding the train here in CA, I mask up anyway. Most still do that going from SF to Sacramento or on CalTrain. Two of my relatives in SF having had the 4 shots went over to Europe, just to Paris and France, the last week in March for a full week.

Bottom line is I am circumspect, mask up inside and outside, here and when traveling

My questions are all about logistics. I don't mask unless I have to. It doesn't matter if others are vaccinated in terms of spreading Covid, so my own antibodies (tested after I had Covid) are my/others' best defense. I can't get anymore doses, so that is a non-issue as well. I am most worried about the possibility of testing positive, regardless if sick or not, and being able to get back into the country. That is literally my only concern, and I am trying to decide if it is a game changer. I wish there were some stats regarding that issue, i.e. how often does it occur that someone misses a flight due to testing.

I don't qualify as the experienced traveler that you mentioned. I am also considered technically unvaccinated since only two shots, but due to developing tinnitus, no more shots for me.

In your position, I'd be booking those tickets. Especially since you have had a case of covid and at this point antibodies that are more robust to deal with the latest version of covid.

Personally, I don't see countries implementing restrictive measures this summer, unless there is a really nasty variant that comes along. To me, it appears that countries are shifting from covid being considered a pandemic to being endemic and learning to live with it.

Edit to add: Think about the worst that can happen if you get covid while traveling. Then come up with a plan to deal with that scenario. I find that the best way to deal with stress.

Hello. Thank you. This is probably my window. We have to look at tickets tonight. It's just ironic that the first time we booked, I had a faux ticket, and the second time, the site went down. LOL. I had the tinnitus too but that is much better now. Thank you for your advice. I just need to make the leap of faith - hard for me. I appreciate everyone's advice. It seems like the majority are saying - go when you can.

We are not going. I tried tonight to book and I couldn't. I want to go but I can't do it. Unlike other people, I am not afraid of Covid. I was injured by one dose of the vax and every day for over a year has been trauma. I want to get excited about traveling but I just feel too crushed to pull it off. I don't know if that makes sense. I hope I get to go again and that this isn't the only window I will ever get. Going to France is such a big part of my life. So, we aren't going. We are just staying home.

Kate, while I know it is disappointing not to be traveling, you have done the right thing for you. You have honestly examined the situation and your needs and come to a conclusion. Hoping for future trips for you.

Ditto what Carol said.
And, I will add, anytime I am facing something disappointing, I try to remind myself of the millions and millions and millions of people throughout the world who would trade problems/situations with any one of us.
You will know your "travel window" when the time is right.
In the meantime, have a wonderful, relaxing summer. Peace, good health, happiness.