Darn indeed, Jacketwatch! Sorry we won’t be meeting on the W Coast cruise,
Perhaps it’ll happen another time—maybe in Chicago?(Among other things, I wanted to hear about your latest trip to the in-laws in India.)

Good news on you not having forfeited any $$.
.
Meanwhile, we still hope and expect to go, but will be armed with a container of Clorox bleach wipes, as well as the usual precautionary travel items.

"How’s this for news? As of today, 14,000 people in the USA have died this season of flu." Indeed, I think I read the same stats which also mentioned that 26million had contracted flu. Somewhat lower %s in the U.K. yet people still don’t bother getting flu shots??

Some hesitate because of the belief that a flu shot may bring on Guillan-Barre syndrome though the CDC says this is rare. People get GBS from the flu itself too and other viruses as well.

As we know correlation does not prove a causal connection but perhaps in some peoples minds its too much of a risk.

Personally we have gotten flu shots every year for decades especially as we were working in the healthcare industry, Sue in the OR and me in a Chicago inner city teaching hospital in ICU giving direct patient care. We had no qualms about it.

Well if you are ever in Chicago please contact me. I think we can manage to talk about many things ;) besides this trip to India which was basically for seeing Sues family. We did nothing out of the ordinary there. Our main purpose was a trip to Dubai for 5 days after stopping over in Delhi and then taking that 7 day cruise. Then we went back to Delhi for a few more days before flying back home. :).

I hope someday our paths cross. It would be fun!!

I had not heard of the possible link with GBS and I doubt many have. In the UK flu shots are provided free on the NHS for anyone 60+, under 5s, health professionals and at risk groups. Even if you are require to pay, it only costs around £9 / $13, yet still people don’t bother!

There is a saying here. You can bring a horse to the trough but can’t make him drink. ;).

Thank you , Jacketwatch. You, Sue, and I can share hospital stories during a cruise...on the Chicago waterways!

Indeed, there are a bunch of reasons people don't get the flu vaccine,-- a "whole 'nother" interesting topic. Getting the vaccine is unfortunately not a preventative panacea. Every year, we hospital staff received our "jabs" then heard about influenza strains the vaccine would NOT cover that season. That's not a reason to not get it, but it does lead people to perhaps fatalistically wonder how much it really prevents.

On the topic of this thread, although Fodorites may have seen the following from his weekend's NYT Travel Section, I'm posting here as it includes FAQs similar to those posted on the Forums. Some of the stats are already outdated, e.g.this was written before the cases near Milan.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/t...-advisory.html

Yes Cali and for others as wall not familiar the Chicago River architectural tour is a must do if you are here. Its leisurely, very informative and just one of those cool things to do while on vacation or even for locals who hand't done it before. I did not do it until friends came in from India actually.
https://www.architecture.org/tours/d...os-first-lady/

Considering vaccine developers have to start planning now for flu season 2021, they do pretty good job. Yes. Some years the match is better than others, though. You're right. That's never a reason not to get the shot.

Is corona spread changing your travel plans?
 

I usually don’t panic but I’m getting a bit worried about early May trip to Spain. Haven’t book the flight yet, the hotel booking can be canceled...I really want to go.
I guess it is wait and see for now.

My planned location has confirmed a case today. Think I will be avoiding Europe this year. Maybe time to see a bit of the ole USA that I would like to see.

Same here joannyc, local will do for now.

I am off to Bali in 10 days. and YES I am worried.
I am also off to the USA in mid July. I am not so worried about that.

Holidays are not covered by travel insurance if I get sick with the coronavirus But I am still going.

My boss is with her family in Bali now and having a great time.

We have cancelled a train trip to Florence scheduled for late March. We’re not that concerned about getting the virus but we are concerned about the possibility of train cancellations and closed museums. However, a friend and I are going to Vienna for four days in mid March and that trip is not cancelled (we’re flying direct from Basel on Swiss).

Leaving for Paris tomorrow for a week-long trip. Have a 2-week trip planned for the Pays Basque starting in early May and a 3-week trip planned for Italy/Sicily in September. No plans to cancel anything at the moment, but am keeping abreast of the latest news. Not very worried about getting sick but I don't want to travel someplace where everything is shut down.

We probably have as much chance as anywhere of experiencing an outbreak. Things are changing daily. I don't have any foreign travel plans pending but I'd probably still go if II had, as long as it wasn't a place with a big outbreak happening. Don't think I'd go to northern Italy or any of the "2nd tier countries" right now (or China, of course) but if the place had no more cases than here, I'd go. At the same time, I can see why a person might rather stay closer to home and within a medical system that was familiar and took your insurance.

There is no need to panic and worry about something that is not yet booked and a hotel that can be cancelled.

I’ve got a seven week trip to Europe planned beginning of May... flights booked and paid.. hotels can be cancelled and yes I’m very concerned. I’m sitting tight for the moment, I can cancel hotels up till 22nd April so decision will be needed to have been made before then.. the worry is more about getting stuck somewhere and not being allowed back into Aus.

We have altered plans for Northern Italy and substituted other locations for this coming June. I fully expect some of those "other locations" possibly to become problematic. Fortunately the airline segments were procured with FF miles and are easily cancelled and the miles re-banked for a nominal fee. If we have to stay home we will.

Danon when everyone pulls out you could be the number one seed.