‘Will fears about Covid-19 change travel?’, Andrew Solomon, a clinical psychology professor at Columbia University (USA), shared his opinion with The New York Times.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, many people wonder if anyone still dares to fly. However, international flights did not decline, but flourished. The risk of this incident is not equated with the risk of getting sick from eating a lot of fast food or the risk of crossing the street at a red light.
As the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, worries about air travel also peaked. Important business trips are done in fear, and vacations are seen as irresponsible and dangerous. Many tourists are both eager to go out and protect themselves. Although there are adventure lovers, most just want to relax and change the atmosphere. Staying at home is the safest but very frustrating. Tired after a year of fighting the virus that spreads in the air, many people wonder when they will be able to enjoy a trip abroad without worrying about the pandemic. Can a yacht bring joy instead of a death trap? The joy of travel still comes with anxiety about the disease. Photo: Shutterstock. What do you get from your travels? The pandemic is being better controlled by developed countries. This causes serious problems for developing countries whose economies are dependent on tourism. Americans worried about Covid-19 could go to Britain or Europe. But what will they find there, when only a few restaurants and museums are reopening in London (UK) or Vienna (Austria). A large portion of Americans are not of European descent, so the need to visit Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East is obvious. The decision of visitors depends on the situation of each country. In the past, people would research the social situation going on in the country or find out if the place they want to go treats women, LGBT and religious minorities well. But now, the numbers of Covid-19 infections are enough to make a decision. It’s fine if you’ve been vaccinated and go to a place where everyone has been vaccinated. However, there is still a way to safely travel to a place where vaccines are not yet widely available without becoming a source of super infection. It’s important to avoid crowded places, wear a mask, and only eat out when allowed. Nostalgic for the comfortable travel days before Covid-19. Photo: Unsplash. Many people like me can’t wait to go back to the life of the past. I have visited about half of the 200 countries in the world and my favorite places are a strange mix. I like England for being there part-time, Mongolia for its unspoiled and authentic beauty, Afghanistan for its amazing hospitality that I have not come across anywhere else. The list could go on forever. I once wrote about the memory of dancing under the full moon with a friend in a small village in the Solomon Islands. I was trapped in an iceberg in Antarctica. My most dangerous trip was in Australia. I had been at sea for half a day in a wetsuit when the boat that had taken me out to the Pacific ran away. A world without those experiences is a less vibrant and vibrant place than the one I used to live in. Back to the sky In early May 2021, I took my first flight to visit my daughter in Texas when the travel restrictions were eased and I had enough vaccines. Although I didn’t feel too dangerous, I was still somewhat uncomfortable. I did not eat or drink while on the plane and wore a tight mask. However, the return to the sky gives me a fluttering feeling like being back in the scenery of the summer days of my childhood. As we broke through the stratospheric clouds and greeted the familiar warm sun, the joy filled my heart like hugging friends for the first time after getting vaccinated. The quarantine days have given me more time for my husband and children and writing, and the comfort of a fixed lifestyle. However, being freed from that comfort also relieved me. Although accompanied by fear, the journey is still a relief. The first flights after the restriction on movement was eased brought emotions to many people. Photo: New York Times. Traveling is not only about fun but also important to a non-stop learning career. The 19th century scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt wrote: “There is no worldview as dangerous as that of those who have not yet seen the world”. Being locked in one’s own country is terrible for many people, because it means being confined to one’s own bubble. The success of each country depends on the curiosity of its citizens. Losing that means losing our inner compass. Although I long to explore new lands, I am also eager to welcome people to the place where I live. It’s weird to walk through New York City’s great museums without hearing 100 different languages. Travel is a two-way street and I hope to see traffic back in the near future. Once the SARS-CoV-2 virus is under control, we will restart with renewed vigor. The world is wide open before our eyes. The first steps can be hesitant, cautious, and uncertain. But think about it. A year ago, the grocery store was also an adventure destination. Now, while still being cautious, we are being given a planet back to explore.
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