Is it possible to travel responsibly (during a pandemic)?

[uncfnp]

It is hard for me to imagine why a vaccination record would be a suitable substitute for a negative Covid-19 test. Even with the best, currently available vaccines, a person still has a 5% change of contracting the virus, therefore possibly being a Covid-19 vector for others. A second Moderna or Pfizer vaccination should greatly increase your odds of not getting seriously ill or dying from Covid, but there is no guarantee that you could not get, transmit the virus, or have a positive Covid test.

The mRNA vaccines have shown a 95 percent efficacy against symptomatic disease. Testing for asymptomatic infection was not done in the Pfizer or Moderna trials but analysis of the data from the AstraZeneca/Oxford clinical trials showed a 67% reduction in transmission.

Compare that to the less than 50 percent ability of the rapid antigen tests to detect asymptomatic infection.

So would I rather fly with a vaccinated traveler or an antigen tested traveler? I’ll take the vaccinated.

 

[drrich2]

The possibility that people who've had COVID-19 and recovered will get re-infected is an issue I've read different things about. At first it was through extremely rare, then maybe not so rare... From the AMA Morning Rounds e-mail today, a blurb that may be of interest to anyone who's had it:

"Majority of people previously infected with COVID have high level of antibodies for at least six months, study indicates
Reuters (2/3, Kelland) reports that almost all people “previously infected with COVID-19 have high levels of antibodies for at least six months that are likely to protect them from reinfection with the disease, results of a major U.K. study showed on Wednesday.” Scientists “said the study, which measured levels of previous COVID-19 infection in populations across Britain, as well as how long antibodies persisted in those infected, should provide some reassurance that swift cases of reinfection will be rare.”"

 

[scubadada]

I posted this in a similar thread Covid testing in Cozumel thought it might be useful here too.

It appears that there continues to be some misunderstanding regarding Covid-19 vaccination. The two vaccines currently available in the US are very effective in reducing symptomatic infection, but symptomatic infection still occurs. The vaccines are very, very, effective in reducing severe disease. Asymptomatic infection after vaccination certainly occurs, but was not specifically investigated in the Pfizer or Moderna clinical trials. Vaccinated individuals with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection are likely able to transmit virus, the risk may be different than in unvaccinated individuals.

So, vaccinated individuals are still at some risk for infection, from unvaccinated or vaccinated people, and are still able to potentially transmit virus to others. Therefore, it is prudent to continue to follow masking, social distancing, handwashing and avoidance of risk gatherings to complement the ever growing number of individuals who have been vaccinated.

Diagnostic testing in vaccinated individuals is still done, as in travel regulations, to identify people with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic infection. A PCR test has better sensitivity over an antigen test.

 

[uncfnp]

Can't, likely very bad results if I do.

I avoid questions too personal but you have mentioned your inability to get the vaccine several times so I have to ask why? Currently the only ones that I know of that are strongly recommended against vaccination are individuals allergic to the vaccine ingredients and specifically peg/polysorbate.

 

[Dan]

Following CDC protocols works well for me. Two overseas trips in December & January went uneventfully. No one in the group, my family & close friends contracting the virus.

Just got my 3rd negative PCR test result today (took the test on Tuesday, 64 hours ago) for my 3rd overseas trip this coming Saturday to meet the < 96 hours window between the swab test and arriving in Belize. This time I got the test free of charge through COVID-19 Testing & Health Services | Curative.
Before I took the tests through Quest Diagnostics : Home and it costs $130 / swab test. So, that's a nice change in my pocket.

One member of our group has taken both stages of Moderna vaccines and she still had to take PCR test for this upcoming trip. So, yes, you still need to be negative COVID-19 tested to visit Belize, regardless whether you have the vaccines or not.

The advantage of having the vaccines is you won't be sick when you get the virus. You still need to follow the CDC protocols like everyone else to make sure that you won't be spreading the virus to those vulnerable people.

 

[MichaelMc]

Following CDC protocols works well for me. Two overseas trips in December & January went uneventfully. No one in the group, my family & close friends contracting the virus.

I'm very glad you are following CDC protocols. Quoting from them for reference:

"COVID-19 Alert: Cases are Extremely High. Avoid Travel

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

...

If you must travel, here are some important questions to ask yourself and your loved ones beforehand.

• ...
• Are hospitals in your community or your destination overwhelmed ...?

• ...
• Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or air, which might make staying 6 feet apart difficult?
• ...

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should delay your travel.

...

If you must travel, take these steps ...
"

Bolding above by the CDC.

COVID-19 and Your Health

So are you following the if must travel steps part, or the preceding considerations and alert parts?
<end sarcasm>

 

[Dan]

I'm very glad you are following CDC protocols. Just quoting from them:

"COVID-19 Alert: Cases are Extremely High. Avoid Travel

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

...

If you must travel, here are some important questions to ask yourself and your loved ones beforehand.

• ...
• Are hospitals in your community or your destination overwhelmed ...?

• ...
• Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or air, which might make staying 6 feet apart difficult?
• ...

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should delay your travel.
"

"If you must travel, take these steps ..."

Bolding above by CDC.

COVID-19 and Your Health

So are you following the if must travel steps part, or the considerations and alert parts?
<end sarcasm>

I don’t have COVID-19 to giveaway. So, why should I not travel?

Tested for the virus every month and kept getting negative.

 

[MichaelMc]

I don’t have COVID-19 to giveaway. So, why should I not travel?

Tested for the virus every month and kept getting negative.

I will ask again. Are you following the alert and consideration questions parts of the CDC guidance, or just the "if you must travel" steps part?

 

[tursiops]

Tested for the virus every month and kept getting negative.

The good news is you keep getting a negative test.
The bad news is that you can still be infected for the majority of the days in each month, and not know it.
The monthly tests are NOT proof that you unable to give someone else the virus, unless you take the tests every 2-3 days.

 

[Celt]

Even if it’s not possible to travel safely some people will find reasons to justify it. It’s up to individual countries to impose effective quarantine measures for people entering the country.