Should I cancel my trip because of the coronavirus? This traveler is going

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Should I cancel? Should I go?

Would you go?

That last question, I can answer — I am going. Not to Italy or Japan, but I am traveling out of the country this month to visit my daughter in Ecuador, a country that has seen a handful of cases of novel coronavirus, called COVID-19.

As for whether you should go — I can’t answer that for you, although maybe I can help you answer it for yourself.

In recent days, I’ve heard from numerous readers, family and friends affected by this combination global health crisis/global travel crisis.

The U.S. Travel Association announced this week that international inbound travel to the United States will fall 6% over the next three months — possibly more — the largest decline since the 2008 financial crisis. Other countries will likely experience a much more dramatic drop off.

Just this week, I’ve heard from:

A friend who was planning to chaperone the Beachwood High School orchestra’s trip to Italy this month, which was canceled last week. She and her son are both upset, in part because they are receiving only a partial refund for the trip, which was set to start in Milan.

My brother, concerned about traveling this month to visit his son, studying abroad in Germany, where there are more than 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

A colleague, who is postponing a planned honeymoon to France because of the virus.

I’ve also heard from a reader who canceled a trip to Seattle, one who is worried about an upcoming trip to London and another who is concerned about a Caribbean cruise in April.

I understand the anxiety. But I also think we travelers need to consider our options rationally.

Travel, particularly international travel, has always involved some risk. The State Department reported that 724 Americans died of non-natural causes in 2018, with auto accidents as the top cause of death. Those numbers don’t include natural causes like heart attacks, the flu and other illnesses.

Yet I also understand that fear isn’t always rational. And if you’re so nervous about your trip that you won’t be able to enjoy it, then maybe you shouldn’t go.

But I’m going.

For one thing, I’m outside the demographic group that is most affected by the coronavirus — that is, the elderly and those with underlying health problems. If I were to contract COVID-19, chances are good that I might not even know it or the illness would be relatively mild.

In addition, the risk in the country where I’m touring is relatively low. The World Health Organization and the New York Times report seven cases of COVID-19 in Ecuador, with a “risk of community spread.” Travel recommendations include avoiding contact with sick people while I’m there, washing my hands often, paying attention to my health for 14 days after I return home, and not traveling while I’m sick.

I’ve heard I may be subjected to a temperature screening upon arrival at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. So I will make every attempt to stay healthy before I go.

As for avoiding germs on my flights: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on airplanes.” (Although, I think, we all have a story that at least anecdotally contradicts this.)

I won’t be traveling with a face mask, but I did buy travel insurance. It does not, however, cover cancellation due to the coronavirus.

I bought it because I have older parents, and want the flexibility of canceling if something happens to one of them; because the trip required a substantial nonrefundable payment; and because I want health insurance while I’m traveling in a place with a health-care system I don’t know much about. Obviously, I hope I don’t need it.

Am I a little nervous? Sure, but more because I’m traveling for the first time to South America, to a region with which I am utterly unfamiliar. Honestly, I’m more worried about the high altitude and petty crime in Quito than I am about getting sick.

Mostly, I’m excited about seeing my daughter, whom I haven’t seen in two months, and about exploring a completely new place with her.

Excited — that’s how we should all feel as we prepare to travel the world. And that’s how we’ll all feel again, I’m certain.

Travel tips in the age of coronavirus

From the CDC:

Avoid contact with sick people.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.

It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.

Also:

If you’re traveling abroad, find out whether your health insurance covers you while overseas (Medicare generally does not). If not, consider buying travel health insurance to cover you in the event of illness or injury overseas.

Consider, too, adding coverage that includes medical evacuation coverage, which will pay to bring you home if you get sick or injured. Many bundled policies include both basic health and medical evacuation coverage, as well as cancellation insurance (though generally not for coronavirus concerns).

Travel with alcohol-based hand sanitizer and wipes, and consider wiping down surfaces like airline armrests and tray tables. “It won’t hurt,” said Dr. Robert Salata, an infectious disease specialist at University Hospitals. He doesn’t recommend face masks, which he said are not effective at stopping the spread of the disease.

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