Covid tisk

Buy and wear good KN 95 masks in crowded places
I’ve done that every time I travel. No problem

My advice is to get the shot before you go. We had our last covid shots in late May and just got the new one a couple of weeks ago. And as the previous poster said, wear a good mask. Good luck and safe travels.

Just know that no one in Europe (perhaps just American tourists) still masks and there are no more covid measures. Traveling in Europe just presents more risk these days, and one has to accept that. The best is to recognize risks of different situations and understand you comfort with risk, like a attending an indoor concert vs eating at a cafe outdoors, luck plays a big role these days. I'd have a mask on you just in case you feel the need to use it.

I would get the jab for COVID and RSV as well. You will no doubt be indoors a lot: museums, dining, trains and buses and the Metro. That’s where the spread occurs. What could it hurt to the the seasonal shot?

It's really going to be a personal decision, based largely on your own risk profile. I'm about to take my fifth trip to Europe this year, and I haven't worn a mask at all (nor do I at home). Ditto when I travel in Asia.

At home, I catch public transport every day, have multiple face to face meetings with different people every day, eat lunch out daily and go out for dinner frequently etc. So I feel my risk level traveling is not that different.

However, I don't have any specific health concerns. Your situation may be different - if so, a mask is probably your best option. While it's not common, you won't find anyone critiquing you wearing one . And if you can get a booster in time, it's probably a good idea.

Have a great trip.

I don't see a downside to getting it now.

Quite a few of my friends have come back from Europe recently and tested positive.

You have time to get the booster. I got mine on Monday and I leave on Tuesday of next week. I was able to make an appointment the same day I looked.

Whether or not you wear a mask is a personal decision.

Some people wear good masks and don't get Covid. Some people wear good masks and get Covid.

Some people don't wear masks and don't get Covid. Some people don't wear masks and get Covid.

Personally, I think it has more to do with your personal immunity than anything else. Having boosters helps to keep from getting bad symptoms should you get sick. They will not prevent you from getting Covid.

Nowadays, I go without a mask. If someone is coughing or sneezing near me, I try to move away. (I do travel with a couple of masks just in case.)

I've had two colds in the past three years. Both times I tested negative.

Of course, I could have had Covid without any symptoms and not known it.

If I remember correctly, it takes 1-2 weeks before immunity is built after getting the vaccine. And some suffer side effects after receiving the vaccine while their body builds up that immunity. Things that should be taken into consideration when planning to travel within a week and thinking about getting the vaccine right before.

I agree that a last minute booster won't kick in before your trip starts. Brother and sister-in-law got covid last week in France and they had gotten the booster just a week or so before they departed on the trip.

Covid is on the rise in France; if it were me I'd get the booster ASAP along with the flu vaccine and RSV (if you're over 60). Many people get Covid more than once. In France few people are wearing masks but we always wear masks on planes, in airports/taxis, in stores and crowded places---wherever the risk is higher. We're also up-to-date on our vaccines. So far, we've avoided getting Covid.

If you decide to go with the RSV the pharmacy will tell you if your insurance covers it. My SIL went last week for the Covid booster and RSV. The pharmacy said her insurance had not updated their codes yet and did not show coverage for RSV so it would be $380. She passed on that for the time being but did get the new Covid Boost plus flu shot, which your Dr is not advising it looks like.

I’d get that new booster tomorrow, even if it take a week or so to build immunity. It wasn’t out when I left last month and I couldn’t get an old booster. Caught Covid for the first time . Thankfully symptoms started after I returned home.

Hurry up and take every precaution you can. Who knows what awful viruses all those unmasked ( I’d say greater than 99% based on my observation last week ) will spread to you.

Fwiw I was just in Austria and Germany and exactly zero persons were wearing masks. However a few of the flight attendants wore them.

I second mmebonnie. The biggest risk for covid is in the airport and on the plane. There's no circulation while on tarmac, so it's not filtered. KN95 masks are relatively comfortable. Whether you want to wear a mask once you arrive in France is up to you. Personally it's your health, so if wearing mask makes you more comfortable, wear a mask. The covid vaccine takes 1-2 weeks to give you the best immunity. Although RSV and flu season usually are considered november-april. We got our shot in mid-september. We'll be getting the flu and RSV vaccine in about a week. In your case, it's kind of a crapshoot whether you get the covid vaccine.

Whatever, the case, enjoy your trip!

Be especially careful in the airport and on the plane. I wore a KN-95 and still caught Covid on my flight to France. I was recently vaccinated but the person next to me was sneezing throughout the flight. I've now been sick for most of the 10 days I've been in Paris and Nice. Be considerate! Mask if you're sick!!