Question

Like many people, I have older family members out of state. I need to travel to see them at some point. Please offer feedback on when to travel, how to travel and limit exposure while seeing family members. Travel in early June: I think it might be a better idea to travel ASAP versus mid-summer when I think the US will see another wave. My husband is dead-set against going to Yellowstone or another national park this summer he is saying "No major US tourist sites. " These places could be outbreak sites with an influx of people and have limited medical resources. We are traveling to a Missouri and Kansas, which have fewer cases than Chicago. Hotels or SUV? : Thankspically, we stay in Hampton Inns. I called several properties to see if they were sites for traveling medical personnel. Hotels near university medical centers even in rural states appear to be common housing sites. These hospitals do not have enough staff to deal with cases. DO you think it is better for a one-night trip to stay at a campground with a portable bathroom in your car versus staying in a hotel in terms of risk? Crazy idea, but I am considering it. Staying with a relative: Would you stay in the residence with the family member or would you stay at a hotel? Would you just stop and see them at a outdoor location and not visit their home? This is new territory. We travel a lot but I am very hesitant to fly or stay at hotels right now. I do not want to get older relatives sick but at the same time widowers are extremely isolated and down.  

Answer 1

Great question, unfortunately I don’t think there is one right answer. My daughter has brain cancer so she is definitely part of the high risk population. Long story but at the end of March my sister in law was in town for one night and wanted to stay with us. I allowed it. She came to our house and washed hands and changed clothes on arrival. Now, when you have a child with stage 4 brain cancer you are also always factoring in quality of life and so that was a huge part of our decision (we were supposed to spend time with her and her family over spring break). I think there is no perfect way, but I would say if you are going to visit them consider staying with them, just minimize stops on your way and practice good hand washing, also, consider self quarantine for 14 days prior to your trip.  

Comments

Autoinflammatory disease in my family. Debating taking the kid without medical issue only.  

Answer 2

Good questions!  

Answer 3

Great questions! Are there any bed and breakfast options near where you need to be? I know the one in Naperville is open but struggling. Might be a great way to support a small biz!  

Comments

I am leaving Naperville and going to KC. We have stayed in nice B&Bs and I would stay in one right now. I would stay at a hotel property that is under far more health department survellience that does not house medical personnel. I just want a simple room without knick knacks and cute furnishings with sparse surfaces that can easily be wiped down. Cute is not my radar. Sanitation is the priority.  

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I understand you are leaving Naperville. I was just using it as an example. My perspective is that there are a lot less people in and out of a B&B compared to a hotel and each is run differently but might be worth seeing what precautions they are taking.  

Answer 4

2. Suv. 3. Depends on how you travel. If u stay in an suv and are extremely careful i would stay with a relative if they have also been equally careful.  

Answer 5

We just moved cross country a few weeks ago and I was SO stressed about all of these choices. We drove from South Florida up here with four small kids ages 2-7. Rest stops they were conditioned to not touch anything. Lots and lots of sanitizer and lysol. Gloves for gas pumping. We packed lots of food/snacks so food on the road was limited. We picked to stay over night at a Hilton for many reasons. They have a digital room key through their app so you don't need to check in at the front desk. Also, at the time, they were only booking one floor of the hotel each week so our room had not been stayed in for 3 weeks (I called ahead to check on this) and was very happy with the room. I wondered about an Air BnB but I found out there are no guidelines what so ever for cleaning which made me not even consider them. I also debated the campground/van route but many are actually closed right now--also being someone that had an RV some made me feel not so safe--and that was in an RV. I personally would travel earlier as opposed to later but that being said, if your state and/or their state are still on a lock down then I personally would not travel until the lock downs are lifted. I would not consider staying with family/friends only because of the research showing asymptomatic carriers.  

Comments

The B&B situation and Air BNB is a place I would not even go right now. Clean, simple accommodations are needed with health department accountability and firm oversight.  

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@creep Look into Hilton then, I was very impressed with their system and policies in place.  

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@cheddar I called Hilton properties and specifically asked about the setup and who had been staying there. When you explain medical needs, they were transparent in terms of who they were housing.  

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@creep We have a very medically complex kid, so I have the same worries and I get it

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I keep telling him you can't do that, you can't do this, I do not want to end up at Lurie in downtown Chicago. I do not want to be near any downtown hospital complex right now. Westchester Lurie location is far enough right now!  

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@creep believe me, same!  

Answer 6

If the need is there, then I would fly with a mask and stay at a hotel. Our family doesn’t camp so the scenario you presented regarding a portable bathroom is not a consideration for me ever. I would avoid staying with the relatives. If they’re physically able to, meet outdoors, distance and wear a mask to protect them. Things are crazy now, but life can’t stop. You’ll know what to do depending on your personal situation. No mom on FB is going to give you a magic answer. Every situation is different. Trust your gut. Safe travels.  

Comments

I never camp. High maintenance:) Reconsidering.  

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@creep that whole comment of yours, gave me anxiety  

Answer 7

My personal experience. My sil flew here from california in mid april. She had too. She spent a week quarantined (she wore a n95 on plane) immediately showered and changed once here then quarantined. She is staying at in laws obviously no uber or Lyft. It has been fine for her to be here bc she needed to be here. Shell be going back next week. Her flight was $19 home (usually 250-300) if u can fly now protected of course to see them it would be a cheap time. There was like 11 people of her flight including flight attendants. Be aware many flights are being cancelled last minute bc of low #s some are still flying with low passengers. Be protected. Stay in hotel (wipe everything down very well yourself) and stay social distance from them for a 7-14 days if possible. If not then u have to weigh risk vs reward.  

Answer 8

I’m high risk and so is my dad. They’re still thinking of traveling middle of June to come see us. They are traveling from Naples FL. They have been quarantined and so have we for the most part (shopping for necessities). My graduation from DePaul was canceled but they had this trip planned for that already. They are wearing masks the entire time, bringing alcohol spray, Clorox wipes, for the plane. Then they will come in through the garage and shower and change and put their clothes in the wash immediately. But they are only coming here and we aren’t going out and about while here. I will spray their shoes and luggage in the garage with Lysol and leave it out there for a few hours to soak and dry from the Lysol. Even with all these precautions, it makes me very nervous for my dad and me.  

Comments

@pentangular small world! Our family just moved here from Naples FL!  

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@cheddar welcome! We used to live there too. I grew up here but we moved down there for 5 years for my husbands job then came back. My parents originally followed us down there and refuse to come back haha. I can’t blame them fully. Lol.  

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@pentangular haha! My husband and I both grew up here and went to college in Fort Myers and then ended up buying a house and staying longer. Missed the Midwest  

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@cheddar I started at FGCU and ended at DePaul haha.  

Answer 9

We really, really want to go down to Naples where we can stay at our family’s condo. Who knows if it will happen.  

Answer 10

If safety is of the upmost concern then I would drive and stay at a hotel. Just wipe everything down in the room once you get there. If you decide to fly then wear a mask and wash/sanitize your hands. Lysol your bag and change your clothes before meeting with your loved ones. I feel like I'm numb to flying and traveling cause I do it several times a week and don't even think think much more about it other then what I've suggested.  

Answer 11

I went to sc 2 weeks ago. I didn't take any precautions. Me, my mom and my son all lived to tell the tale.  

Answer 12

Have you looked into air bnb? You could stay on your drive down or while you are there, you just need to plan ahead. It is only your family in the house so exposure is less.