By: Jack Buchanan
Is it safe to fly? On June 5th, Sheila and I plan to fly from our home in Arizona, where we spend the winters, to our home in Michigan. Is it safe to do this? Is it smart?
According to the CDC, it is not safe. Here is what they recommend according to their website: “CDC recommends you stay home as much as possible, especially if your trip is not essential, and practice social distancing especially if you are at higher risk of severe illness.” Regarding air travel, they have this to say: “Air travel: Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights. However, there may be a risk of getting COVID-19 on crowded flights if there are other travelers on board with COVID-19.” They further point out that to be safe, social distancing requires at least six feet of separation. That is impossible on an airliner.
What about driving back to Michigan? That’s a four-day drive versus a four-hour flight. Is it safer and smarter? Well, the ride in the car is safer, but what about the restaurants and motels, not to mention the escapees from lockdowns at home out celebrating in their automobiles on our highways.
The other choice is to stay in Arizona all summer with a lot of 115-degree days and miss all those beautiful clear lakes and cool summer temperatures of Northern Michigan. I will take my chances with Southwest Airlines, a surgical mask and gloves, and hopefully, a not too crowded flight. After all, as Helen Keller’s inspiring thought for this week says:
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”