Travel Ethics in Covid Era

[Ursula J]

Hi all--We have a trip to WDW planned for 12/6-12/13. We booked it in January. We live in the Chicago area, where Covid numbers are catastrophic right now and show no signs of slowing. Florida looks much better, but they're on the rise as well. We're not seeing family at Thanksgiving because my folks are elderly and elevated risk. But then a week later we're set to get on a (direct) flight and head to WDW. I can't decide about the trip, and I need advice/help. On one hand, Florida is safer right now than IL. We are so in need of a break after a horrible year that included a health emergency for my dad, income decrease, and the same stuff everyone is going through. And we've always wanted to see WDW at Christmas time but never have before. We believe that WDW is a fairly safe bubble--we're staying onsite and won't be leaving the bubble. We're all healthy and not in elevated risk groups. On the *other* hand, I worry we could transmit unknowingly or catch something just by traveling. Is it even ethical to go right now? WWYD?

 

[AllieBoo]

Personally, I don't think going to Disney World is any different than going any where else right now. Do you go to the grocery store? Eat at restaurants? Go to retail stores? To work? Most people do some or all of those things everyday. I don't think it's unethical to go to DW or anywhere else. Wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and enjoy.

 

[Moneypenny]

We were in a similar quandry before our trip last week (from Wisconsin, one of the worst states in the nation right now for COVID). We had many many conversations as a family right up until the night before we left. We ultimately decided to go, and are happy we did, although it does still feel somehow wrong to have done something completely unnecessary. We haven't really done anything unnecessary since March, going only to stores for needed items, or to work because we need to work. Based on reports I'd read about air travel and how Disney was handling things, we weren't so much concerned with catching COVID ourselves (and indeed, felt much safer in FL than here at home), but were more concerned that we were engaging in behavior that could increase the spread of COVID. We were very careful about wearing our masks, maintaining our distance and washing/sanitizing hands (as we always are now). I'd like to think, and I think most evidence seems to support this, that by doing those three things consistently we can, as a society, safely participate in recreational/unnecessary activities. We've been home since Saturday, have no symptoms, and are planning to stay home for another week or so. We toyed with getting tested a couple of days before departure and again a few days after our return, but tests are not easy to come by here at the moment.

 

[msteddom]

Thank you for posting this. I have a trip planned for January and am debating the exact same issue. I’m going to hold off making a decision for a few weeks because a lot could change between now and then, but things do look pretty grim right now.

 

[Delilah1310]

We are having the same discussions in our household as well. With cases increasing in the recent weeks it is making us question our pre-Christmas trip. It is a very tough decision and we have a bit of a split household on it.
My husband and I both work in the medical field and every medical professional will tell you how important the masks and distancing are. I feel like we can mitigate our risk of exposure/spread at Disney ... where I feel the trip seems to introduce more variables is the flight and the airports.
it's a difficult conversation and one that has changed in the past couple of weeks ... at least for us.
thank you for bringing up the topic!

 

[BadPinkTink]

The way I see it

If you have the money and time
If there are no travel restrictions
If the transport options are available
If you are comfortable with the new procedures implemented by transport companies and at your destination
If you practice good personal hygiene and wear a mask
If you follow guidelines regarding quarantine and testing

Then go and enjoy your vacation.

In 2021 travel shaming will be everywhere, but we all have to find our own comfort level. As long as you are aware of risks and are doing your best to limit the spread of the virus, then I see no issue with going to WDW.

 

[choirfarm]

nm

 

[BadPinkTink]

I think it is immoral to go.

Why, what is your issue?

 

[Marthasor]

I'm in the same boat. I keep rescheduling trips hoping numbers will get better. I have a trip scheduled for next week and one in December. I would adhere to all safety protocols and mandates and I feel pretty safe with my mask, disinfectant, etc., but I just can't justify these trips to myself right now. For me, going to the grocery store and pharmacy and my son going to school of course pose risks, but they are necessary. Going to WDW isn't right now, IMHO (though I could really, really use a break). If I were to catch it and spread it due to going on an unnecessary trip, I don't think I could forgive myself. So, most likely, the trip next week will be canceled and we'll go back to wait-and-see mode for December.

 

[DeeBee3]

If I didn't have a travel restriction (14-day return quarantine) we would be going tomorrow. We decided to cancel just a few days ago because our daughter would miss too much school even with the updated test-out option. In NY, btw. Things looking like they will close down again before too long as our gov has just started up some restrictions.

 

[Ursula J]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm just so torn about it! I almost wish one of our employers or Florida or IL would just give us a rule that made our decision for us. Part of what's so exhausting about this pandemic for everyone is that most regular people just aren't equipped to make this many high-pressure decisions all the time. Everything is so hard! My husband is going to talk with his boss and see if she has a "ruling" that would force him to quarantine unpaid after--that would be a deal-breaker. I'm working from home anyway. We scheduled a back-up trip for 1/30 but now I'm wondering if things will be up and running then or if we'll have a shutdown after the new president is inaugurated (not a political thing at all! and definitely not wanting to get into politics!). Gahhhhh!!!!

 

[peabody58]

Felt 1000% safer at WDW last month than going to WalMart/Lowes/Gas Station. And our mental health improved sufficiently. We are retired and pretty much self-quarantine all the time while at home, so an occasional trip to WDW is more than appropriate, it's almost mandatory.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I think it is immoral to go.

I couldn't disagree more - but you are entitled to that, and I am aware that you are far from alone. Disney has found a way to keep the parks open SAFELY. Spending a week there is like going to a COVID safety boot camp - it made us see things differently when we got back. Of course, you can't mandate that people go, but I do think it's a really good idea.

 

[kimmar067]

Personally, I don't think going to Disney World is any different than going any where else right now. Do you go to the grocery store? Eat at restaurants? Go to retail stores? To work? Most people do some or all of those things everyday. I don't think it's unethical to go to DW or anywhere else. Wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and enjoy.

....what SHE said.

 

[kimmar067]

The way I see it

If you have the money and time
If there are no travel restrictions
If the transport options are available
If you are comfortable with the new procedures implemented by transport companies and at your destination
If you practice good personal hygiene and wear a mask
If you follow guidelines regarding quarantine and testing

...basically, use common sense.

 

[BrianL]

Hi all--We have a trip to WDW planned for 12/6-12/13. We booked it in January. We live in the Chicago area, where Covid numbers are catastrophic right now and show no signs of slowing. Florida looks much better, but they're on the rise as well. We're not seeing family at Thanksgiving because my folks are elderly and elevated risk. But then a week later we're set to get on a (direct) flight and head to WDW. I can't decide about the trip, and I need advice/help. On one hand, Florida is safer right now than IL. We are so in need of a break after a horrible year that included a health emergency for my dad, income decrease, and the same stuff everyone is going through. And we've always wanted to see WDW at Christmas time but never have before. We believe that WDW is a fairly safe bubble--we're staying onsite and won't be leaving the bubble. We're all healthy and not in elevated risk groups. On the *other* hand, I worry we could transmit unknowingly or catch something just by traveling. Is it even ethical to go right now? WWYD?

I totally understand what you are thinking as I have been doing it myself. It's hard to know what is "okay" to do. It feels weird to go, but is it really unsafe with precautions? I don't know. I have considered going and I don't worry so much about Disney as I do about air travel, but I still have concerns. I also don't want to be perceived as part of the problem. It feels like an impossible situation sometimes. I don't have an answer for you I'm afraid.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

OP, Does the just announced Chicago lock down by the mayor include your area? It is for all things with the exception of essentials (school, work, medical, groceries..) that would certainly make a difference in your decision making I’d guess.

How ever is works out, I wish you a great trip, or happy future planning

 

[goodeats]

Just got back from WDW (flew from CA). I did post on FB about - I got no negative feedback, but the silence was deafening from certain FB friends. I agree with the notion that the safety measures they are taking at Disney were top notch. And I did not see unmasked people on the airplane or in the airport generally.

As someone in a strict state, and who has basically been locked down since March, it was extremely eye opening to see the number of people travelling and the number of people at Disney. Trust me there are tons of people travelling. As far as the "morality" issue - I think as long as you take precautions I don't think there is anything immoral about living your life.

 

[Katie Count]

OP, Does the just announced Chicago lock down by the mayor include your area? It is for all things with the exception of essentials (school, work, medical, groceries..) that would certainly make a difference in your decision making I’d guess.

How ever is works out, I wish you a great trip, or happy future planning

I just contacted O’Hare Airport because we are set to fly out on December 6. We live in southern Wisconsin and they said that we are still allowed to fly out of Chicago, return to Chicago, and drive home without needing a negative test or quarantine because we don’t live in Chicago and because we are not staying in the city.

 

[famy27]

We are also in the Chicago area and had the same thoughts. We went in August when numbers were slightly off the peak in Florida. We felt so comfortable there that we went back in October and will be going again in January. Disney has taken so many precautions and guests are following the guidelines. It’s much better than my local grocery store. All the CMs made us feel even more appreciated than usual.