In her article, Jen Murphy discusses the ethical dilemma many travelers face: whether to fly while COVID-positive. Despite the pandemic officially transitioning from a public health crisis to being managed like seasonal flu, traveling while infected remains contentious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported high levels of COVID-19 in several U.S. states, making the decision to travel more complex (Murphy, 2024).
Murphy recounts several real-life scenarios where individuals faced this predicament. One traveler, Ellen, chose not to test before flying home despite feeling unwell, prioritizing her return over potential quarantine costs and disruptions (Murphy, 2024). Another individual flew to a business meeting while positive but wore a mask, rationalizing that others were also likely infected (Murphy, 2024). These decisions highlight the tension between personal convenience and public health responsibilities.
The CDC's relaxed guidelines, combined with the removal of testing mandates for domestic and many international flights, have led to more travelers opting to fly while sick (Murphy, 2024). Murphy advises having a contingency plan, such as purchasing travel insurance, which can cover quarantine costs if needed (Murphy, 2024). Dr. Henry Wu of the Emory TravelWell Center emphasizes the importance of considering the health of vulnerable individuals, advising travelers to avoid public transport if sick or take every precaution if flying is unavoidable (Wu, 2024).
Travelers are encouraged to check airline policies, as some still waive change fees for COVID-related rebookings. Murphy also suggests that travel insurance can mitigate the financial impact of unexpected quarantine requirements (Murphy, 2024). Richard Martinello from Yale New Haven Health underscores the ethical aspect, urging travelers to follow the golden rule and consider the well-being of others when making travel decisions (Martinello, 2024).
