Someone I know has a ticket to fly non-stop from Colombia to the United States; how dangerous is it to fly right now? What if they wear a surgical mask and gloves? Is it so bad just one carrier in the cabin that will infect everyone? They are worried if they reschedule their flight there will be more travel restrictions, and the number of cases will just get higher for the foreseeable future, and now there may not be many passengers.
Will it be better to fly in say 30/60/75 days?
Colombia currently has 75 known cases, far fewer than the US. While the prevalence is certainly much greater, it’s unlikely at this point that a plane will have more than a few cases. Also, it’s very likely the plane will have very few passengers.
I think your friend will be in far greater risk after arrival in the US than they will be on the flight.
I flew from the US to Panama today. Because there is much greater prevalence in the US, Panama has banned entry from there to anyone other than Panamanians or permanent residents (which I am). The plane was half empty. Everyone’s temperature was taken and they were screen on disembarking.
I would say if they have the chance to travel now they should do so. There’s really no telling what restrictions will be in place in both countries several months out.
Some friends got out of Peru before they closed the borders, on a flight from Lima to Bogota, and then had to spend 12 hours at the airport there, before getting on a flight to LAX, arriving last night.
Was it safe? Hard to say - they were out of options and forced into the situation. Does the person you know have choices? Do they need to make a flight right now? If the trip is non-essential, then I would say pause for now (IMHO).
Will it be safer in the future? Probably, but we are all dealing with a lot of uncertainty right now, so no way of knowing when. There is no correct answer at the moment.
Funny idea: would getting a first class cabin upgrade make a difference, since I “presume” fewer people will be sitting there? The CDC says transmission is most likely being within two seats front back or side from a carrier. Interesting gamble of a few hundred extra dollars …
Reports are that the airlines are already moving people to empty seats in First Class to distance the passengers.
If/When they arrive should they go into a full 14 day self-isolation or just undergo normal precautions of avoiding crowds, etc?
Colombia is also much, much smaller. I’d say it depends on where this person is going. Seattle is one thing - a small to mid-sized Midwestern down is another. There have been no cases in my city so far - I totally expect that to change, of course, but I don’t think you can really compare Colombia to the entire US. Objectively, the safest place you could probably be is a fairly isolated area with little to no tourism.
Thank everyone for the advice; my main fear remains the airport and plane ride, I feel perhaps I can control exposure once here.
I was supposed to get on a plane for the Caribbean today. I cancelled a week ago, citing as my greatest fear: Walking Through O’Hare.