We were planning a trip to Las Vegas to visit our daughter when all this arose. My husband announced that he wasn't going. I said I would go buy some masks and I was going. If I get sick and pop off, well at least I would have had one last wonderful Mother's Day with my daughter.

So, I bought the masks. Got them home and only just read the info on them. The label said "stops 95% of germs". Yeah. From the person WEARING the thing! Duh One day I'll learn to read and comprehend everything on the package before I get it home and throw the receipt away! I had forgotten that we had bought masks that filtered out viruses (not just bacteria) when the last bird flu pandemic seemed to be looming. We (DH decided he would go after all) are taking them with us just in case.

I've been reading about the filtration systems on the planes and it seems that about the only way you would get sick if somebody on the plane is spewing germs about would be if you were sitting right next to the person. I'm hoping that people will use common sense and not fly if they are coming down with something, and that the airlines will do their part in denying entry to the sick ones.

We leave for Nice and Catalunya next Friday and the only thing that will make us cancel is if either country closes its borders...of course if France closes its border between the time we drive into Spain from Nice and then head back into France, which I think is very unlikely I guess the last laugh will be on someone else. We will of course be extra careful with our personal hygiene and contact but I at this point the Iberian pork is still on my radar..

We arrived in Paris today from Boston and there are no signs of panic in France. There are a few signs up in the airport warning people about the flu, but no one coming from America was being checked or detained for flu symptoms. We are carrying hand sanitizer and being extra careful about cleanliness, but I wouldn't worry about Europe closing borders unless this thing takes a very unexpected turn.

Go on your trip and have a great time. That's what we're doing!

- Roz

Oh Roz, I am so jealous, have a fabulous time!

Right On Roz...thanks for the headsup...

I spoke to my friends whom we are meeting in Nice and who arrived in Nice over the weekend...they too confirmed that there is no sign of any additional checks or concern amongst the local people...life is just going on as usual they say...

Any feedback from anyone in Catalunya?

So, I hate to flog a dead horse, but I get the sense that the animal is still alive.

There's rumblings in the press that the WHO will declare an H1N1 pandemic -- that is, move the alert from level 5 to level 6 -- within 10 days.

I also understand that the WHO is working hard on tempering this declaration with an acknowledgement of the virus' relative mildness.

Fellow Slow Travelers, my question gets back to travel restrictions. Who here thinks that international travel could be curtailed as a result of a Level 6 declaration? I'm just looking for someone to calm my nerves: my family and I leave for Italy end of this month.

I'm not sure about the consequences of the WHO raising the alert level, but from what I've heard or read in recent days, the situation seems to be this:

I guess it's both the CDC and the WHO who are suggesting that the H1N1 virus MAY behave like the influenza virus did during the 1918 pandemic (when my father got it). That is, after a period of relative quiet during the summer, it MAY come back in a more virulent form. But they don't know what it WILL happen. That is why they are watching it very closely (good overview) , particularly in the southern hemisphere (winter), in order to detect such a development.

This being the case, I don't see any reason to be especially concerned right now. Just take the usual sensible precautions, as Roz has suggested.

Ann

We just got back from a two week trip in Thailand, and we flew China Airlines from Honolulu connecting through Taiwan to Bangkok.While landing in Taiwan(both directions) and Bangkok, China Airlines made an announcement about H1N1 virus symptoms and precautions. However, never made the announcement landing in Honolulu. I guess some countries feel the need to warn and educate about the virus. Travel wise,however, I did not see any indication of a pandemic or concern among other travelers.

As long as the CDC and WHO do not issue alerts and warnings against international travel, I would personally continue to travel, and just take precautions I normally take anyway.

When landing in Beijing from Wash., DC recently, we had to: fill out a short "Health Status Card" describing any symptoms and had to wait on line to have our temperatures taken.

BTW: when flying into Hong Kong from Beijing, a similar card had to be filled out (interesting), but no temperatures were taken. Hong Kong, being an SAR of China, enjoys operating independently on many fronts from "the Mainland," as they refer to the rest of China.

Swine flu is sensationalism yes. Just yesterday I heard of another flu strand virus that's deadly. Don't know the name, but I'm sure it will be sensationalized then never heard of again.

Terrible thing to happen to Mexico. They've been hit with it all this year in travel.

quote:

Originally posted by stellar510:

Terrible thing to happen to Mexico. They've been hit with it all this year in travel.

We have been seeing ads for Mexico on TV. The ads tout Mexico's response including the kudos they received from the CDC, WHO, the international health community etc..

I really feel for the Mexican people who rely on tourism for their livelihood. It is a marginal economy and this blow could be serious for the stability of the government.

Yesterday my companion that works at Pasteur Institute received a communication from the institute that this flu is bigger than they expected. He's not a scare type person and flys alot. He suggested that we go to the pharmacy and get a antibacterial gel to keep in our pockets to clean our hands with after being on public transport.

There were three day cares and a few schools in Paris that were affected late spring and recently I heard of some camps.

We take the plane tomorrow. I can wear a mask but it is impossible to think of a baby wearing a mask. I hope for the best.