Why I cancelled my vacation

If I’m a vector, I could be an infector

Several friends of mine have been discussing what to do with our various upcoming spring vacation travel plans in light of the coronavirus epidemic. Yesterday (March 11), I told them I was going ahead with a beach vacation trip — white sands, lapping waves, snorkelling — leaving in two days. I felt it was worth the slight risk.

This morning, I cancelled my air ticket. What changed my mind?

1. The World Health Orginazation just announced a global pandemic, and Washington D.C. just last night declared a state of emergency. I live on the D.C. border, in Montgomery County Maryland. Locally confirmed cases doubled between last night and this morning to 34. Known cases are most likely just the tip of the iceberg. So as of this morning, there is a good chance of hundreds of local cases undiagnosed in the D.C. area.

2. While I would estimate the risk of contracting the virus is still small for my flight on Saturday, there’s no doubt that it is here, and that Dullas Airport has had at least some infected people stroll through it — not to mention flight attendants and TSA security. There is some risk I could not only catch it by become a vector for it. A vector here is basically a person in motion. So, I have to weigh not only my own personal safety when travelling…