How worried should I be?

[EllieBC]

Hi all. My father passed away this weekend and I have to fly home for his funeral. Normally it would take place within 24 hours but my mom explained to our rabbi that I need to fly in from BC so it’s set for Tuesday.

I’m normally a fairly level headed but I’m suddenly terrified of flying with this virus seemingly everywhere. Driving is not an option as I’m headed to NY.

Am I be panicky and it’ll be fine or no? Sorry, my brain is a little over stressed from this news about my dad and the lack of sleep I’ve experienced worrying about my mom.

Thanks for understanding.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. How old are you and what is the state of your general health?

My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

[EllieBC]

6. I'm in my 40s and except for hypertension

I think I’m ok. I’m getting over a cold my kids brought home from school. They bring home the worst things ever I swear.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. You're not in a high risk group, especially if your high blood pressure is under control.

If it makes you feel better call your doctor.

[EllieBC]

18. Thank you!

It is controlled. I am trying to lose more weight and improve my eating habits so I can maybe not need medication to control it. But so far the meds work.

[MLAA]

2. I just watched cnn or headlines news blurb

Take wipes and wipe everything..tray table top and bottom, seatbelt, arm rests,,,everything. Try and avoid middle seat.

It said the air is filtered and removes something like 98 or 99% of particulates.

I’m sorry to hear about your dad. Will be thinking of you.

[MAD Dave]

3. Unpopular Opinion

Just take precautions such as frequent hand washing and don’t touch your eyes. The virus is out and will eventually infect a majority of people. In my opinion, we’re past the point of worry and into the part where things hit the ditch and you just have to wait and watch it unfold.

[sheshe2]

4. I am so sorry for your loss, Ellie.

My best to you and yours. It is hard to lose a dad.

The rest I can't answer you. Things are kind of scary these days.

[EllieBC]

7. Right?? See I normally wouldn't think twice about flying.

I mean hate the being at an airport forever and the terrible cramped seats but otherwise it’s not too terrible. But now with this virus all over I’m worried.

[sheshe2]

11. I hear you, Ellie.

[Quixote1818]

5. The chance of you getting it now is pretty tiny.

Last edited Mon Mar 9, 2020, 02:12 AM - Edit history (1)

In two months it will probably be a different story. Consider that there are only about 500 confirmed cases (hard to say what the actual number is) in the US right now and there have been 19 million flu cases and I don't know anyone personally who has had the flu this season.

As others have mentioned, wipe down everything. Keep the air blowing right on your face the entire flight as it will push any infected air away.

So sorry for your loss!

[enki23]

9. There absolutely are not only 500 cases in the US.

.

[Quixote1818]

12. Even if it's 10,000 which I doubt the chances of getting it now are extremely low.

In two months if cases skyrocket then there most certainly would be something to worry about. Out of 350 million people 10,000 (high end of what might be out there) is .00285714285714%. Currently the chance of getting it is miniscule.

[sheshe2]

15. Correct.

I can't even guess where we are at. The number boggles my mind.

[uppityperson]

21. Confirmed cases. Not cases.

[marlakay]

8. If you have a mask you can wear one

Mostly to keep yourself from touching your face. I would bring wipes to wipe down seat and tray and any area around me. Truthfully if I had to fly now I would wear a hoodie with top up and hunker down in my seat talking to no one, and thats not me at all.

With all the talk about the virus and no one really knowing all the answers it does cause fear.

And most of all sorry for the loss of your father. I lost mine 20 yrs ago and still miss him, we were close. I am sort of glad he missed Bush and Trump though he would have gone ballistic.

[EllieBC]

16. My dad was older and not in great health. Trump filled him

with daily rage. I’m pretty certain the stress of Trump made his health issues worse.

I can’t describe the loss to anyone. It’s like the one person I could still call, at my age even, who could usually offer some solid advice on anything from snow tires to taxes is gone. My oldest child is devastated. She has many memories of summers spent with him. My two younger ones have fewer memories and don’t really quite understand yet. It was a total gut punch.

[marlakay]

23. Grieve and grieve some more

Feel every bit of the pain and happiness with him, holding it in will make it worse. I was your age when my dad died in my 40’s. He was my person, for years I would go to the phone, back when I had landline and pick up realizing I couldn’t call. My younger daughter he was like a father to her because of my divorce and her dad taking off. He pushed himself to live until she graduated high school then died a few months later.

I went to a group therapy by hospice for adult kids who lost parents for a few months, it really helped.

Your heart will heal and you will remember him with a smile.

[BigmanPigman]

10. Airline staff has said the window seats are best

and do not touch that pocket that has magazines in the seatback that faces you. Wipe EVERYTHING down, including the bathroom.

To remind myself not to touch my face I would wear a mask and gloves. You have no idea how often you touch your face, mouth, eyes, etc. When I first got contacts I realized that we touch our eyes a lot.

[Ms. Toad]

14. You should be fine.

Wash your hands lots.
Sanitize everything before you touch it (where you sit in the waiting area, anything you would touch on the plane (seat back in front of you, belt buckle, call light, fan, etc) Wear long sleeves and pull your hands inside them to open doors with the sleeves.
Keep your hands away from your face.
If you have extra money, spring for 1st class to give you a bit more space.
If you can fly within Canada partway (perhaps to Minneapolis St. Paul)rather than through Seattle, that would be better. Consider flyng into Philly and driving that might help (There are international flights, but it isn't quite the hub that NYC airports are).

Sorry about your dad.

[elleng]

17. Be careful with what you touch,

like change from a transaction, and wash after every encounter.

Say HI to NY for me.

[OhNo-Really]

26. I wear nitril gloves. Hat long sleeves & pants

Wash everything immediately upon arrival before huggin no to keep her safe disinfect everything phone wallet cards shoes take thorough shower

So sorry for your loss. ✨✨🙏✨✨

[AlexSFCA]

19. wipe everything with alcohol wipes

do not touch anything with your hands, use alcohol wipe including bathroom. Have a small sanitizer bottle with you. I’d wear a mask on a plane cause who knows how frequently they change air filters, the air is gonna recirculate throughout the entire flight.
You are not in most risk group, I would not hesitate to flight if I need to.
P.S. Have ear thermometer with you and fever meds!

[missingthebigdog]

20. It depends.

You should be most worried if you are older, or immunocompromised in some way. If you are relatively young and healthy, you should recover easily even if you contract the disease, so your overall risk of adverse effects is low.

Some precautions I would take if I had to fly:

Do your best to take the least crowded flight possible, and try to sit alone. I would choose the window seat; less contact with people walking up and down the aisle.

Take some Lysol-type wipes with you, and wipe the armrests, tray table, etc. before you sit down.

Skip refreshments on the plane. Buy a bottled water in the terminal, and bring a snack from home.

Check your bags, and bring the bare minimum on the plane with you. Wrestling bags into overhead bins or under seats maximizes contact with airplane surfaces, people, and other people’s bags.

For the safety of your family, wash your hands thoroughly once you have landed. Depending upon how vulnerable they are, consider changing clothes in the airport before meeting them.

I am so sorry for your loss. Peace be with you.

[58Sunliner]

22. Take precautions. Wear a mask and wraparound eye protection like sunglasses or safety glasses.

Use a cloth or wipe to act as a barrier , or wear gloves. Closed toe shoes, preferably solid. Tuck your hair under a hat that you can spray with lysol. Hair is a vector for the virus. Preferably no food or drink on plane. Or bring something with you that is safely wrapped. Keep drinks covered at all times. Anything that someone else handles should get a wipe with a lysol cloth. Bring a plastic bag(s) for your carry on, purse etc...to store them in. If you have to use the toilet, don't flush or only flush with the lid closed and a piece of plastic large enough to cover the seat and then dispose. The virus lives in feces at least 4 days. Not sure about urine. Wipe all surfaces before using and bring plastic for your seat. After you get off wipe and/or spray all exposed surfaces. When able throw all you clothes in a dryer on high. Use hand sanitizer/gloves at all times. Remove mask carefully, spray and store in plastic bag, or put on a dryer shelf and use a high setting. I am sorry for your loss. Don't let anyone tell you you may as well not worry. Pneumonia is dangerous and can cause life long problems.

[Phoenix61]

24. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Standard flu precautions. Wash your hands and don’t touch your face. I’m having a hard time with that one.

[mr_lebowski]

25. Sorry about your dad, I lost mine in October ... it sucked, and it's still a bummer every day ...

But the pain has faded a bit, replaced by good memories. Hang in there

If it was me I'd fly without worry and I'd do absolutely nothing different from what I normally do, sanitation-wise, which is a damn site less than what people are talking about here.

But then I'm a cavalier mo-fo ... no wife or kids, it doesn't much matter what happens to me.

Also, I've not been sick other than a few mild colds in over 30 years, so ... I must be doing something right.

[ninaholm]

27. 0. How worried should I be?

It is very sad to know please be patient.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

28. Not very worried at all.

Unless you have pre-existing conditions, which changes the equation a lot.

Otherwise, if you're a younger, under age 70, person, with no health issues, you essentially have nothing to worry about.

I know it's not popular here to say this, but influenza is still more deadly than this corona virus.

So let me put it this way: If you are not terrified to fly during regular flu season, why are you worried now?

[uponit7771]

30. 10% of the human race has been quarantined, anyone intimating this is no big deal is in denial

... or not understanding the infection rate of CV19.

Mortality rate is bad the infection rate is out right horrid seeing it took 4 weeks for Italy to quarantine 25% of their population based on comparing CV19 to the flu.

Its mask wearing time depending on where the person is going

[NJCher]

29. I have a similar situation

But I can drive. Still I may not be able to go. Four days of driving is formidable. I think of the consequences and think I’ll play it safe, even though a family tragedy is happening. Fortunately the family is understanding, but it hurts to think of not being there. I am in the high risk group.

These decisions are very difficult. I think it was good to get the thoughts of others.

[uponit7771]

31. If you can't stop touching your face wear a mask, elbow bump a lot

[EllieBC]

32. Thank you all!

For the advice and condolences.

My mom is really falling apart. They were married for 57 years. She’s lost someone who was in her life way longer than not. I have to go back for her.

I’ll definitely be taking wipes. Planes are pretty dirty anyway so I’m fine with wiping literally all the things.

I’ll also take the advice of wearing a hoodie and maybe sunglasses. I’ll probably be able to get a nap that way at least. And I usually bring my own snacks but I’ll definitely buy my own water before boarding.

Again, thank you, my DU family.