OBSOLETE COVID THREAD August 23rd - undecided

[uncletim]

I'm thinking about flying into Lisbon on August 23rd and walking from Porto to Santiago.

I fly standby so able to make last minute changes.

the CDC site says do not travel to Portugal or Spain.

I am vaccinated and *always* wear a good quality N95 mask.

info on visitportugal is any covid test - PCR NAAT or Antigen works.

just on the fence at the moment.

my pack is 9lbs/4kg

 

[TMcA]

I tend to be conservative, maybe overly so. But the Delta variant would give me pause.

Then there's this possibility, which nearly none of the affected travelers anticipated - becoming a breakthrough case.

Blindsided Abroad: Vaccinated but Testing Positive on a Trip to Europe (Published 2021)

The prevalence of the Delta variant means many travelers, including those who are vaccinated, are facing sickness, quarantines and delayed returns.

www.nytimes.com

 

[uncletim]

I did read that article. I have another window in late September

 

[peregrina2000]

Yes, I think that anyone who is going to travel now has to consider the risk of being infected, having to quarantine, and hopefully emerging unscathed at the other end. I have seen that article, and think there is a delicate dance to do here. We have to look at the actual numbers and the actual percentages and decide whether in fact this is a risk we are prepared to take. We also have to consider whether we will put others at risk if we go. In some ways, though certainly not in all ways, it is like the debate over whether women “should” walk alone. Risks are real, but how to put them in the bigger statistical perspective and how to avoid falling into irrational fear are real challenges, especially since the human stories grab our attention.

I am talking to several close friends who are doctors and find that their calm rational assessment is helpful, but stories like these strike a real emotional chord.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

If you're double vaccinated, and take good care (eat n drink outside especially) you should be ok. There's not a single case as far as I know of transmission by pilgrims, and if anyone knows of one, I'd be interested.

 

[ginniek]

The reason why I am likely to not walk this fall (as I had hoped/planned) is the concern that one or more countries, including the US, could return to very strict limitations on travel, featuring strict quarantines at either or both ends.

 

[peregrina2000]

I'm thinking about flying into Lisbon on August 23rd and walking from Porto to Santiago.

What did you ultimately decide, @uncletim?

I know a lot of forum members are having these same doubts, myself included!

 

[uncletim]

I was lucky and able to walk in June, so I decided to wait a bit. I have a window in late September, hopefully things will improve a bit.