COVID-19 and Holiday Traveling

For many of us, the holidays will look a little different this year thanks to – you guessed it – COVID-19. Whereas the week of Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel time of the year, will this year look the same, or will it be another victim to coronavirus?

Airlines have been and are continuing to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the use of HEPA filters onboard, requiring masks, limiting the number of passengers boarding at one time, and even offering complimentary health and safety kits to customers. If you happen to be on a flight that is not at capacity, oftentimes flight attendants will allow you to change seats to be farther away from other passengers (and possibly next to a window!). But before you board the aircraft, you are exposed to other travelers inside of the airport. Luckily though, airports and the businesses inside of them are exercising due care by wearing masks and adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Even with the extra measures being taken by airlines, there is an understandable feeling of unease with regards to catching a flight this holiday season. If air travel is out of the question, road trips could be an option for those still wanting to visit family and friends over the holidays. While this greatly reduces the number of other travelers you will come into contact with, precautions cannot be thrown to the wind. Unless your travel time is relatively short or you and your family are blessed with the water-holding capabilities of a camel, you will have to stop at a rest area during your journey. And if you’re like me and enjoy stopping at a restaurant or two along the way, you will be coming into contact with more folks as well. We can all do our part to protect each other, though. Be mindful of social distancing while waiting in line at restaurants, try to limit the surfaces you touch, and carry around hand sanitizers for moments when a sink is not nearby. Consider packing a cooler full of snacks and drinks to take with you in the car so you can eat on the go, which saves money and allows you to stash a few extra goodies for the drive.

If you do opt for a road trip this season, you won’t be alone. If anything, car traffic may be higher than normal with the uncertainty surrounding air travel. With more traffic comes increased risks for crashes. Be sure that you are well rested before beginning your drive, obey traffic laws, and remain vigilant. It is often true when they say that it’s not yourself that you have to worry about on the roads – it’s everyone else. If you do happen to be involved in an accident, don’t panic. Evaluate yourself and any passengers that may be in the vehicle with you and be sure to take photographs of any damage and injuries sustained. Always remember that you can always call our office to discuss what you should do in the event of an auto accident or other injury, and we will be more than happy to walk you through the next steps.

Though 2020 has been difficult in many ways for many people, hopefully Thanksgiving and the surrounding holiday season will remind us to be grateful for what we do have. Even if we find that we’re unable to celebrate with family members in-person in the traditional fashion, it is our hope that we will still take the time to give thanks for the blessings that we do have. For all the bad stuff that COVID-19 has brought to our lives, it does give us occasion to take time to appreciate the loved ones in our lives, perhaps even more than before. Happy Thanksgiving from The Haynes Firm!