Traveling with your Family during a Pandemic
If you’ve ever perused my blog, you can tell that I absolutely love to travel. As a mom, it has been my biggest pleasure to introduce traveling, in various modes, to my children. We love good road trips, have flown internationally and my kids can’t wait to hop on a cruise ship, again. Needless to say, when COVID-19 hit the United States, I was devastated because of the unknown and because life as we had known it came to an abrupt halt. This weekend last year, we had just wrapped up a family trip in Gulf Shores, Alabama celebrating life to return home to cancelled classes, remote work and empty grocery store aisles. It really felt like I imagine an apocalypse would be. Yet, here we are a year later still managing the ever changing guidance as it pertains to COVID-19 with over 500, 000 people having lost their lives to this virus, in the United States alone.
2020 is definitely a year that we will never forget and 2021 is shaping up to be just as memorable. However, many of us have learned to navigate our daily tasks and even travel during this pandemic, in order to help us remain sane and regain some sense of normalcy. Recently, my family and I traveled by plane during the pandemic! I was hesitant, initially, but I can truly say that the airports and airline staff are doing everything within their means to reduce the transmission of the virus and to help travelers feel safe. It’s unfortunate that we have had to experience a year long pandemic, but hopefully we have learned enough and developed enough practices to eradicate the virus sooner than later.
With Spring Break upon us and with more people getting vaccinated, daily, I can only suspect that travel plans across America will increase. However, it is still important to remain vigilant in your efforts to remain healthy and safe. I have some travel tips to offer since I have flown and taken several road trips during this pandemic. Some events require us to travel while keeping safety is at the utmost importance.
We’re maskers over here! It’s still important to wear masks, provide proper distance between you and others and wash your hands. With government restrictions (federal and local) changing, it is important to protect yourselves and your family. Everyone doesn’t have the same beliefs about masks or the virus, in general. However, I believe that most of us value our personal space so if nothing else respect those around you. Airports, TSA staff along with airline staff properly enforce masks and have done their best to ensure distancing and cleanliness by providing sanitizing stations for general usage. Personally, it simply boils down to respecting others, their space and their position on the issue. In that same token, if you’re an anti-masker, respect me, my space and move around. Please and thank you.
Pack your own COVID-19 essentials kit and have it readily available by placing it in your purse or carry on bag. I also made sure that each of my travel companions were stocked with their own kits, as well. I typically pack these kits wherever I go these days. Our kits include extra masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and SNACKSSSSS. All of the above, can be purchased while out and/or the airline provides them, buy why risk the chance of getting caught slipping? My kids always want snacks and there are a lot more factors to consider before accepting/buying snacks from any and everywhere.
Kudos to United Airlines, specifically, because they made sure there were more than enough sanitizing stations and wipes available to all passengers. They also provided pre-packaged drinks, snacks and meals and hopefully they will continue this post pandemic. The packaging made me feel much better about snacking on a plane.
Lastly, relax and enjoy. After you’ve already made the decision to travel it is senseless to spend your time riddled with anxiety. Enjoy the change in scenery, your company and new experiences. While the circumstances of our travel were unfortunate , we were able to make lasting memories with our loved ones and for me… that’s what it is all about.