Testing Positive After Being on Flight?

[katmigordon]

There are many ways the wife and I are blessed.
One of them is the ability for the two of us to be able to quarantine in place for the 3 months before the cruise so as not to get Covid. What I'm worried about is the flight out there which can't be avoided. We live in AZ, and though she can work from home she has to be at home with her special computer to work so driving is more than out of the question and Greyhound is slower and has the same issues as flying.

I'm worried that we'll be fine - get on the plane and contract something then. Any tips on how to avoid that? If it would show up on a test that fast? The flight part is really freaking me out.

 

[Kwami]

You're not likely to get Covid-19 on an airplane. Even if you did, it's not likely to show up on a test for a couple of days.

Fly the day before the cruise, keep a good mask on, and don't eat at the airport if you can avoid it. You should be OK!

 

[lilsonicfan]

All you can really do is take the usual precautions. Look into an N95 mask or something similar, and don't take it off from the time you leave your house till the time you get to your destination. The plane itself should be fairly safe, although of course, you never know if the person in the row near you has covid for example. It's on my mind too as we are about to cruise; PCR testing is very expensive here and so we are doing antigen testing only to get into the US, but I know it could produce a false negative.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There are many ways the wife and I are blessed.
One of them is the ability for the two of us to be able to quarantine in place for the 3 months before the cruise so as not to get Covid. What I'm worried about is the flight out there which can't be avoided. We live in AZ, and though she can work from home she has to be at home with her special computer to work so driving is more than out of the question and Greyhound is slower and has the same issues as flying.

I'm worried that we'll be fine - get on the plane and contract something then. Any tips on how to avoid that? If it would show up on a test that fast? The flight part is really freaking me out.

I doubt that it would show up that fast, if you talking about flying/arriving on embarkation day.

We have N95 masks to wear on the plane for traveling. Well, we actually had gotten the masks for a flight we were due to take in March 2020, as I always seem to pick up a cold type illness when we fly. Just keep the mask on from the time you leave you house, until you get on the ship.

 

[katmigordon]

We're arriving 2 days early to be sure there's a buffer for adjustment to the flight.

I doubt that it would show up that fast, if you talking about flying/arriving on embarkation day.

We have N95 masks to wear on the plane for traveling. Well, we actually had gotten the masks for a flight we were due to take in March 2020, as I always seem to pick up a cold type illness when we fly. Just keep the mask on from the time you leave you house, until you get on the ship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're arriving 2 days early to be sure there's a buffer for adjustment to the flight.

I would still suggest N95 masks for the flight. Now, whether exposure would equal testing positive within 2 days, I don't know. But I've read it takes a minimum of 3-5 days, but more likely up to a week before a positive result could happen.

 

[KashasMom]

We're arriving 2 days early to be sure there's a buffer for adjustment to the flight.

I'd rather test positive BEFORE I got on the ship instead of ON the ship so I could get my money back and not be quarantined is some awful room.

 

[AquaDame]

I've been on 12 flights now since covid has begun, and have yet to contract covid, even with two stopovers where a significant number of people didn't have masks on. Air filtration on airplanes is very good, and you have some control over which way the fresh air blows on your seat. Airports felt more iffy - we heard a lot more coughing, saw more maskless faces, and you are of course interacting with a much higher number of people. We sought out isolated spots to sit instead of hanging out at our crowded gate. We also flew first class on the longer flights so we wouldn't have that stranger next to us, and have a little more room between us and other people.

Most airlines will give you a sanitized wipe for you to get the seatbelt, armrests, tray table etc with before you buckle in. Even pre covid I had a pack in my carry on, so I always do at least that. You can decline any food or beverage service while you're on the plane as well if that makes you more comfortable since you'd have to remove your mask to eat or drink.

Definitely get a KN95 or better mask to use door to door, and make sure it fits you well. If you want to go a step further you can put another cheaper/more disposable mask over that one so you can toss the outer layer more frequently. Don't touch or tug at it. We bought several different styles of these prior to our last trip as I had a hard time with the pointy style KN95 on the Hawaii flights. I did much better with the flat faced ones with adjustable ear loops, and my husband preferred one with straps that went around the back of his head. If you're adjusting and tugging at it the whole flight you're going to mitigate any protection it offers.

Omicron does develop more quickly than earlier strains, but it still needs time to build up a viral load to show positive on a test. Three days is the average they still quote; so if you test positive after two days you likely had it before you left, or are just unlucky. Frankly as another poster wrote I personally would much rather show positive before stepping aboard than while there as I don't want to have to quarantine... gut wrenching for sure, but think of the thousands you'd save and either way in those hypothetical scenarios you have covid.

 

[Ensusieasm]

There are many ways the wife and I are blessed.
One of them is the ability for the two of us to be able to quarantine in place for the 3 months before the cruise so as not to get Covid. What I'm worried about is the flight out there which can't be avoided. We live in AZ, and though she can work from home she has to be at home with her special computer to work so driving is more than out of the question and Greyhound is slower and has the same issues as flying.

I'm worried that we'll be fine - get on the plane and contract something then. Any tips on how to avoid that? If it would show up on a test that fast? The flight part is really freaking me out.

Here are some things you can do to be safer during travel... An N95 Mask is a must. You can order online some good American made 3M Aura style N95 masks from Home Depot. The kind with straps that go around your head and neck to help make a tight seal. Always wash your hands before touching your mask. If your glasses fog up, your mask is leaking and not doing its job. These are the only masks that do not fog up my glasses. To protect against coughs and sneezes you can add eye protection with lenses bending around the sides. Do not touch your eyes or nose. Pay a little extra for your seats if it means you might not have someone sitting right next to you. Seek out less crowded spaces in the airports. Bring your own bottle of water and a straw on the plane. If you want a drink of water use the straw and slip it under your mask to sip.

 

[cvjw]

All of my family has contracted covid at different times over the past 1.5 years. All showed symptoms on day 2 and tested positive on day 2.

Best you can do is wear an N95 mask and hope for the best.

 

[Kariyaffa]

Wear a surgical or cloth mask over an N95 and wear a face shield on top. It works for staff in COVID units so it will definitely work on a plane

 

[mmouse37]

We have flown several times during Covid and had no issues. One was a cross country flight....East to West Coast and back. Our latest was during the height of Omicron in mid January from NY to FL which usually takes about 3 hours. Well of course there was a weather issue near Miami so our 3 hour flight turned into 7 hours on the plane. We boarded at 1 pm and landed in Miami at 8 pm with a diversion to West Palm Beach in between!

We were fine on all flights and after.




MJ

 

[Akck]

Over the past 2 years, we have flown over 40 flights and so far, we have tested negative after getting back home. This includes going to Florida and Texas when they had large outbreaks. We have eaten and hydrated on the plane and in the terminals. We have eaten out both indoors and outdoors at the resorts and parks. We went on our first DCL cruise to take advantage of lower crowds. We did follow safe practices throughout. We‘ve basically tried to live a ”normal” life under the circumstances.

 

[RedHead0186]

Definitely get a KN95 or better mask to use door to door, and make sure it fits you well. If you want to go a step further you can put another cheaper/more disposable mask over that one so you can toss the outer layer more frequently. Don't touch or tug at it. We bought several different styles of these prior to our last trip as I had a hard time with the pointy style KN95 on the Hawaii flights. I did much better with the flat faced ones with adjustable ear loops, and my husband preferred one with straps that went around the back of his head. If you're adjusting and tugging at it the whole flight you're going to mitigate any protection it offers.

I work in healthcare, and most of this advice is good! However, CDC guidance is that you should not double mask/put a mask over a KN95 (or N95). If you have a well-fitting KN95 that is enough. Also, the flat faced' ones are KN94s, not KN95s. Pretty similar, and both are quite effective, but not the same thing. The ones with straps behind the head are usually N95s. But yes, once you have a good fit don't tug/pull at it, and if you need to adjust then try to touch it by the straps, not the actual mask part (or touch as little as possible and then wash your hands/sanitize right away). Also watch how you take the mask off-most people just grab the front of which isn't ideal-again, try to pull off by the ear loops and touch as little of the mask as possible when taking off/throwing away.

 

[RedHead0186]

Wear a surgical or cloth mask over an N95 and wear a face shield on top. It works for staff in COVID units so it will definitely work on a plane

CDC guidance says to not do this. A genuine, well-fit N95 or KN95 will offer the protection you need.

Face shields could offer a bit of extra protection, though that's really to protect against someone sneezing/coughing directly in your face. And you have to wear it properly, I've seen so many people in the airports wearing them tipped back on their head so the shield isn't doing anything at all.

 

[RedHead0186]

There are many ways the wife and I are blessed.
One of them is the ability for the two of us to be able to quarantine in place for the 3 months before the cruise so as not to get Covid. What I'm worried about is the flight out there which can't be avoided. We live in AZ, and though she can work from home she has to be at home with her special computer to work so driving is more than out of the question and Greyhound is slower and has the same issues as flying.

I'm worried that we'll be fine - get on the plane and contract something then. Any tips on how to avoid that? If it would show up on a test that fast? The flight part is really freaking me out.

I've flown quite a few times during the pandemic. Many of these tips I agree with: get N95 or KN95 masks, limit the time with your mask off (eating or drinking), and if you have to do it find an isolated spot in the airport to do so, just try to stay away from people in general when you can. Also, when you're on the plane turn the air to blow right in front of you (so when you're sitting, the air is kind of blowing on your forehead/tip of your nose). This will blow any air particles away from your face, which is just an extra measure. As others have said, the air filtration/circulation on planes is pretty good.

 

[Kwami]

I work in healthcare, and most of this advice is good! However, CDC guidance is that you should not double mask/put a mask over a KN95 (or N95). If you have a well-fitting KN95 that is enough. Also, the flat faced' ones are KN94s, not KN95s. Pretty similar, and both are quite effective, but not the same thing. The ones with straps behind the head are usually N95s. But yes, once you have a good fit don't tug/pull at it, and if you need to adjust then try to touch it by the straps, not the actual mask part (or touch as little as possible and then wash your hands/sanitize right away). Also watch how you take the mask off-most people just grab the front of which isn't ideal-again, try to pull off by the ear loops and touch as little of the mask as possible when taking off/throwing away.

The "flat" ones KF94, not KN94. They're regulated by the government of South Korea and they're just as good as N95 and KN95 masks. I also find them to be much more comfortable, especially the ones with adjustable ear loops!

 

[RedHead0186]

The "flat" ones KF94, not KN94. They're regulated by the government of South Korea and they're just as good as N95 and KN95 masks. I also find them to be much more comfortable, especially the ones with adjustable ear loops!

Yes, thank you, KF94, not KN94. I have a friend too who greatly preferred those to KN95s because they fit her face better.

 

[mevelandry]

There are many ways the wife and I are blessed.
One of them is the ability for the two of us to be able to quarantine in place for the 3 months before the cruise so as not to get Covid. What I'm worried about is the flight out there which can't be avoided. We live in AZ, and though she can work from home she has to be at home with her special computer to work so driving is more than out of the question and Greyhound is slower and has the same issues as flying.

I'm worried that we'll be fine - get on the plane and contract something then. Any tips on how to avoid that? If it would show up on a test that fast? The flight part is really freaking me out.

Risk zero doesn’t exist but… Planes have very good filters. Opening the fan over your head will help too,

Find good N95/KN95, make sure they fit well and don’t remove them for the whole duration of your flight.

And, I think it´s unlikely that you would test positive that early.