Worth Getting P2/N95 Masks for 5 Weeks of Travel in Europe in One Months Time

Crosscade on 27/02/2020 - 10:46
Last edited 27/02/2020 - 11:08

I've done the dumb thing and have been reading too much news about Coronavirus and how it looks like there could be issues in Europe. My wife and I have 5 weeks of holidays planned in Europe in about one months time, which was going to be our 'one and done' and try to cover off most of the countries, cities and places that we wanted to visit. Obviously the situation is evolving each day and the situation could be completely different in a month, but I wanting to prepare ourselves as best we can.

Most worrying at the moment is that we have tour that includes travel through the northern parts of Italy over to Venice. I am sure that the tour would avoid all quarantined areas, or perhaps that section of the tour is rerouted through to safer location if more outbreak occurs. Worst comes to worst we might have to avoid Italy all together.

I've read that facial masks are pretty much only useful for those already with a virus to stop it from spreading to others, but a mask has to be providing at least some kind of protection right? I don't really want to wear them and probably wouldn't all going well, but I don't want to not have them and be stuck somewhere in Europe if the worst happens, and it being impossible to get a hold of masks due to everyone racing to get them. It is already hard to get a hold of some in Australia since the bush fires and now worries about the Coronavirus.

Am I being too paranoid? Should I buy some masks in Australia to take with us just in case? If so, what should I be getting, how many, and where would it be cheapest to get?

Poll Options expired

  • 8
    Get some masks before you leave just in case
  • 14
    You are worrying too much / The masks do nothing anyway
  • 11
    Cancel your trip to be safe
Travel

Comments

  • djsweet on 27/02/2020 - 11:05

    Unless you're changing the mask every couple of hours I doubt its really going to help.

  • netjock on 27/02/2020 - 11:10

    Yes you are being paranoid BUT for your own piece of mind get a mask. While you are at it get wrap around clear glasses because droplets could also get into your eye.

    If you want 100% protection you also need ear protectors preferably ones that fully cover the ears plus hair net. Also bring a box of latex gloves. Be careful of when you take it all off that you do not touch external surfaces of protective equipment.

    I saw the episode of Netflix's pandemic on Ebola and took copious amount of notes.

    Unfortunately if you rock up in full hazmat suit you'd probably cause deaths from people running from panic into path of cars, trucks etc.

    • Skramit on 27/02/2020 - 11:30

      Unfortunately if you rock up in full hazmat suit you'd probably cause deaths from people running from panic into path of cars, trucks etc.

      He's going to Europe, not the USA ;)

  • wiipantz on 27/02/2020 - 11:17
    -4

    lol

  • T4Abyss on 27/02/2020 - 11:20
    +1

    Depending on the mask, but this includes most that people will use, make it worse…they create a nice warm moist environment right around your face for a virus to take hold and have some fun, especially since you will be touching your face a fair amount of time to remove it, adjust it and take some fresh air.

    Just hold your breath,,,for a long time, problem solved ;)

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 27/02/2020 - 11:25
    +1

    Sounds like you are young and healthy - go for it. (Statistically it is riskier getting to and from the airport).

    The mask idea might mitigate your psychology fear but when you are flying to Europe, keeping a mask on for an extended period (on the plane, whilst exploring the cities) of time is going to be practically uncomfortable.

    If Italy scares you, then go somewhere else in Europe. There are sooooo many amazing countries and cultures in this world. Having been to 59 countries, I still need to visit the other 180 that I have not been to.

    Live life amazing, don't hold back!

  • big1964 on 27/02/2020 - 11:33

    Eat drink and be merry take some masks for piece of mind

  • Skramit on 27/02/2020 - 11:33

    OP is there the option to postpone with the aid of travel insurance?

    • Crosscade on 27/02/2020 - 11:56

      Thankfully I got insurance back in December, so we should be covered somewhat. I don't think the insurance would cover change of mind though, so unless the travel advice changes and/or flights/tours start being cancelled I'm not sure we can get too much back.

      Plus despite all the risk we still want to go at this stage. We have been looking forward to this for almost a year now!

      • Skramit on 27/02/2020 - 12:03

        In that case just wear masks on transport in enclosed environments e.g. plane/train/bus and through major travel centres like airports and train stations.

        Also take plenty of hand sanitizer and be sure to bath in it every 8 minutes ;) Just be careful u dont have an open cuts as hand sanitizer stings like nothing else on a wound.

        Sure you'll never be 100% protected, but these small things can help to reduce your potential exposure.

      • bargaingod123 on 26/03/2020 - 13:04

        lucky for you, I believe the travel advice changed

  • DarthAntz on 27/02/2020 - 11:38

    Everyone else will have a mask, so you might as well fit in. Take some disposable gloves and hand sanitizer too, as it'll be more expensive in europe.

  • orangetrain on 27/02/2020 - 11:59
    +3

    Hazmat suit. Look at what corona virus responders are wearing. They know their shit.

  • capslock on 27/02/2020 - 12:46
    +1

    Stay at home. You might wake up in your hotel one day to find that the city you are in has just been sealed off and quarantined and you are stuck there for two weeks.

    • wiipantz on 27/02/2020 - 13:22

      Free Coronas though!

    • trapper on 12/03/2020 - 14:41

      Quarantined for two weeks? There is no foreseeable end to quarantine, maybe 2 weeks after the last new infection…

  • cocomelon on 27/02/2020 - 13:26

    i just made a cancellation request for my parents, they were going to europe next month but with all this outbreak they decided it is not worth it. you can still visit europe after this whole thing settled. travelling has high chance of getting infected.

  • Sweet3st on 27/02/2020 - 16:20

    I’m in the same boat and would prefer to defer as I’m in the older age range. I got insurance before it was a known risk but they will only cover cancellation if its DFAT ‘do not travel’. So I’m probably going because I can’t bear to throw that much money away. At least my medical is covered for covid.

  • ego22 on 27/02/2020 - 16:35

    get the masks anyway. they do help, they mostly mention that they dont work because a huge vast majority of people dont fit them on well, and touch them all time and contaminate them easily etc. just gota follow a few simple rules. they give u a sense of confidence that u can keep going out and being social. which puts u in even more danger and its more likely that u will get the virus because of it. opposed to staying at home in fear because you dont have a mask. which is much safer..
    personally i would wait 2 weeks see how its all going then very reluctantly cancel if it get any worse.

  • bargain huntress on 27/02/2020 - 19:35

    look at my mask thread
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/517321
    you won't be able to find any
    i've been looking for weeks

  • Bad Company on 28/02/2020 - 15:10

    Trust me you won't enjoy the trip at all if you wear a P2/N95 mask. Those are highly restrictive and your mouth/nose area gets extremely hot and humid.

    Just cancel the trip or go elsewhere. Support Aussie domestic tourism for example.

    Trust me, from personal experience, wearing the mask feels like hell. Try one yourself.

    • lostn on 07/03/2020 - 01:56

      it's unlikely he'll be able to get a refund if he cancels.

      • trapper on 12/03/2020 - 14:39

        The flight will probably end up canceled at this rate anyway.

  • lostn on 07/03/2020 - 01:56

    here's what I observe. Anyone seen wearing a mask is viewed by others as someone to be afraid of. People naturally suspect you are wearing it because you're infected and will keep a wide berth of you.

    If you don't wear one, people assume you are not infected because if you were, you'd have the decency to cover up.

    If you can locate some (they are very expensive online and out of stock completely offline) get a few as a backup if you want. But otherwise just practice good hygiene. Clean your hands often, don't rub your face. If you get sick, see a doctor.

    If you're going to wear the mask, wear it correctly. When you remove it, remove it carefully. Don't touch the mask itself. The virus could be on it. Dispose of it right away.

    Know that breathing through a mask will create moisture which makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Don't touch the mask itself. Remove it by the elastic. Wash your hands before putting on the mask, and again after removing it.

    • leonardr on 10/03/2020 - 03:30

      If you want others to avoid you or keep their distance, wouldn't that be a good thing?

      • lostn on 10/03/2020 - 09:01

        not if it causes prejudice among the people you interact with.

        In my case, I want to take photos. I don't want my photos with face mask on.

  • trapper on 12/03/2020 - 14:39

    I hope this trip has been cancelled.

    • shadowangel on 12/03/2020 - 17:23

      It's very risky traveling atm, unless your going to Antarctica hold off going to Europe, Asia or America. many of these countries don't have free testing and insurance will not cover it if you get sick and it's not cheap 1-10k.
      expect flights to be canceled, if it goes on to much longer airlines, hotels may go under from lack of demand.

      I have been in Thailand for a year now, we have been staying at home this month and i love to travel.

  • myusername on 15/03/2020 - 09:49

    have you cancelled the trip yet?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join