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Will We Ever Feel Okay to Travel Again?
Or, will we be afraid of the next pandemic lurking around the corner?
The thing about a pandemic is you don’t assume it’ll happen. You’re constantly aware of crime, of big terrorist activity thanks to the heightened stressors around that area in the news. You’re aware that you may get a cold after flying because of being cooped up with so many people for so many hours. You’re aware that you may feel off for a few days as your body adjusts to the time difference. You’re aware that other countries pose a health risk to you and you get the appropriate vaccines and medication and definitely, always definitely, pack that Immodium.
But, do we ever really think about a global catastrophe because we travel a lot? It seems that we’ve begun to start thinking about it, solely because of climate change, but when it comes to spreading a virus, the change in people’s behaviour and thought process (at least for some) happens quickly, even if it didn’t cross their mind in the first place. It’s so easy to forget that we’re potentially carrying pathogens with us from one country to the next. It’s so easy to forget how incredibly easy it is to spread diseases quickly.
It’s why you’re not allowed to bring certain products into other countries; the border agents aren’t being assholes when they confiscate your sand from a beach you saved from…
