I love to travel. I love seeing new places and trying new things, learning about all the wonders of the world and different beliefs, and just seeing everything the world has to offer. I’m an explorer at heart, and I want to see everything. That being said, there is an inherent risk associated with traveling. And while I still love to explore, right now I’m staying closer to home. With the global pandemic still going on, I’ve decided to set aside my dreams of globetrotting and explore more local wonders. There is still plenty to explore nearby, but for now, I want to focus on all the reasons why I won’t leave the country until the global pandemic has reached its conclusion.
1: Getting Locked Out of The US
The pandemic and world situation is constantly changing, and countries that are fine one month are banned the next. While US citizens can usually find their way back into the US, the process can be drawn out and difficult. If there’s a family emergency and I need to get back right away, I may not make it in time. Not to mention if an emergency happens to me abroad. So for now I’m waiting until travel resumes its regular pre-pandemic levels
2: Variant Covid Strains
Omnicron is the latest Covid variant and there’s no guarantee it’ll be the last. While I am fully vaccinated, the possibility of a variant infecting me is still possible, so I decided to remain where I am and limit my travel as much as I can, both for my safety and that of others.
3: Canceled Travel Plans
As I mentioned before the world is in an unsettled state and the situation can change rapidly. So it’s hard to set travel plans knowing they could be overturned or canceled at any moment. While wrecking travel plans is one of the less devastating Covid repercussions, it still makes travel difficult and frustrating. The last thing you want to be told when you get to the airport at 3 AM is that you don’t have all the correct requirements or that the restrictions have changed. Many airports are trying to alleviate this by offering rapid on-site testing and other conveniences, but it’s still frustrating and a hassle. If you can’t get your money back for devastated travel plans, then it’s doubly more so.
4: Staying Close to Friends and Family
We live in an uncertain period. And while traveling around the world can be fulfilling, it’s also isolating. Having to ride out a new wave of pandemic panic is different when I can’t visit my family. So staying in the US and close to home is how I take care of my mental health. The pandemic has been isolating enough for everyone, and we all need somebody to lean on during this period of history.
5: Doing My Part To End Covid
To say Covid disrupted my future plans would be an understatement. All of my globetrotting dreams have been put on hold. However, now that I have my vaccine it would be possible for me to travel abroad. But while I have my vaccine, I can still be a carrier and spread the disease around the world. And I won’t take part in that. While I enjoy exploring my local area, and my country, I decided to put my plans for global travel on hold until the pandemic is over. I believe we can all do our part to end the pandemic, whether it’s having a staycation, getting your vaccine, or wearing a mask.
The pandemic has disrupted all of our lives and will continue to do so. It makes global travel uncertain, unsafe, and detrimental to the health of everyone. I understand some people must still travel overseas, whether because of work, or for family, but I believe those of us who have the option to stay home and limit our travel should, both for our safety and that of others.
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