Traveling to New York on Monday for 2 weeks

[stewie]

Hi all traveling to New York next Monday for 2 weeks a little worried if I'm honest just in case this COVID-19 takes off and the cases suddenly start increasing and being so far away from home , am I overreacting , I work in the NHS So I should know the risk . Any advice or reassurance

Steele

Ps been on the flair trial ibrutinib 2 years had no issues at all , touch wood all working really well

[Red49]

I feel your anxiety. My husband is travelling to Ontario for a week soon where more cases have been popping up. I just finished five rounds of FCR two weeks ago so my counts are low...not going lie I'm worried he will bring something home to me. He is a germ phobe constantly washing his hand and using purell but you can't control the people around you.

It's all we have been hearing about so it's hard not too worry.

[HopeME]

Is it a work trip? If so, I assume you can continue to monitor the situation and make a decision closer to departure? That is what I would do if possible. I can’t tell you the number of folks I know in Boston who have told me travel at the companies they work for has been cancelled. How far away is home from NYC?

The biggest fear I have is not the virus itself but rather the hospital system being overwhelmed and unavailable to me should I need help with my CLL, an infection, etc.

[AdrianUK]

If the NHS is sending you there I wouldn't be surprised if the trip got cancelled. If it is holiday I suppose you have to think about it from your own perspective. My understanding is that travel insurance (I do hope you have a good one anyway...) will not pay out unless the government issues a do not travel notice to that country. However, in your situation, you might find that a doctor would write a note advising you NOT to travel due to the combination of the new situation and your health. In which case it would seem to me the insurance should be obligated to refund your costs of the flights (or you could ask for a rebooking for when this has blown over which could be as much as a year or more i.e. until vaccinations come out). It is very hard at the moment to tell if this is going to become a true huge global pandemic or not. For sure the world economy is in free-fall as so many events and so much travel is being cancelled. I have heard an alternative view that traveling now with a half empty airplane and uncrowded tourist destinations may even be safer than normal (e..g the risk of getting the flu). Venice for example has probably not been so empty for decades and flights have not yet been cancelled for Italy which is perhaps the worst affected area outside of china at the moment (just in terms of how rapidly things seem to be developing there).

[Jooby59]

This may sound obvious but just do what you feel is best. We have enough to worry about in 'normal' everyday life and if the stress of your forthcoming trip is really affecting you then cancel it. You won't enjoy it if you are anxious.

Personally I wouldn't go abroad at the moment or even into a large city unless there was absolutely no choice.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[GMa27]

I would not travel far from home. You could be stuck due to flight restrictions or quarantines if exposed. Bring 1-2 months of meds if you go. Hopefully you can hop in a rental car and get home.

🙏💕

[Bluejays]

Out of interest which travel insurance company have you used from the UK given I am on Ibrutinib for last 15. Months but still get very expensive 4 figure quotes even for an extra long weekend from UK to Toronto. Some companies still seem to have a challenge in differentiating full blown FCR from ongoing Ibrutinib penalising equally.

Also my health authority will only issue me one month Ibrutinib supply at a time which with COVID adds for me another level of uncertainty for travel if any issues.

[RZ8983DV]

I am also travelling to the US in the next few days. I'm more worried about the possible spread of the virus on planes and in airports. Today is the last day I can cancel before being liable for the hotel and car hire. I do worry a bit that I will be more exposed travelling and eating out than staying in one place

[stewie]

Thank you all for your replays , most welcome , in the past I have never worried or let this disease in any way get in the way of life may have been reckless at times and lucky but I am worried about this , statically it's really really slim that I will encounter any problems , obviously this may change if number increase significantly but I am scared about this particular virus , it's a break nothing to do with work , with the wife (nurse) , a get away so to speak it's been rather busy and stressful work ...my insurance was with boots I think silver cover all health mentioned and covered , will check how much it was sure it was around 150 to 200 , wife sorted it

Stewie

[HopeME in reply to stewie]

Stewie: Did you travel to NY? It’s amazing the difference a month makes. Last month it seemed relatively low risk. This month N.Y. is one of the epicenters of this crisis.

Stay well,

Mark

[Yidarmy69]

Hi I’m going to New Orleans next Wednesday hope we both stay safe I’m on Acalabrutinib and venetaclax it’s working wonderfully for me