Fleeing Denmark in Light of COVID-19 pt 3

I handed over my boarding pass so I could get on the plane and the computer screen said “passenger cannot board.” Oh, god. I was motioned over to the side to be checked by security. At the moment, I worried they thought I was sick and wouldn’t let me go through.

Luckily it was just a random security check for bombs, not one for corona. I entered the plane and sat down.

I’m currently on a flight from Sweeden to NY and tension is rising. Every cough makes me anxious. Especially my own.The flight is full and I wonder if anyone on board has the virus. I wonder if I do. I feel hot, but that could just be the result of anxiety.

This flight is completely full. Everyone wants to get back home, but it’s still up in the air about whether or not we’ll be able to. I just was notified that Trump will be holding a press conference about the virus at 3pm, but I won’t know anything until I land at 10pm. What will he say?

He may potentially ban interstate travel today, and if he does, I will have no way to return to my accomodations. But that’s all I’ve heard at this point. These next few hours could change all of our lives in many ways depending on how he chooses to handle the situation. Honestly, if I were him, I wouldn’t really know what to do either. How can we make sure everyone is safe and taken care of as quickly and efficiently as possible?

I haven’t really read up too much on updates over these past few hours because I’ve been traveling, but I’ve heard he is focused on bailing out oil companies as a response to the market falling. It’s amazing that oil (and money) is still the major focus during a public health crisis.

As for me, I luckily still have options for places to stay in New York. Although, these plans will be irrelevant if I show signs of sickness upon landing and need to be taken to some government facility for testing.

Right now, I must be as flexible and calm as possible. This situation is out of my control and there’s not much I can do besides go with the flow. At times like this, it’s a waste of time to be upset or worry (as much as I may be doing both).

Since writing this, I’ve landed safely and made my way back today. I’m currently isolating myself for the next two weeks or so.

Maybe I’m overly paranoid and totally blowing things out of proportion, but the spread of this virus is worrying me.

Anyone can get it. And it doesn’t matter if it’s not deadly (as far as we know) for younger healthy people, because our world doesn’t comprise of only younger healthy people.

The selfishness I’ve seen over the past few days has astounded me. Just because you personally cannot die from this illness does not mean you should continue living your life as normal. We need to isolate ourselves so this won’t get worse.

Logistically speaking, I wonder what will happen if everyone is forced to stay home. Will our trash pile up because sanitary workers are sick or at risk? Will our hospitals crumble because doctors and nurses need time off to recover? Could this virus spread via water, infiltrating all systems and eventually infecting everyone? What about food?

Perhaps I’m already jumping to worst case scenario. But as I check my emails, which give updates on the situation, an hour could be enough time for the information to be outdated.

It’s impossible to keep up. And maybe my anxiety is making it worse. Alone for 14 days in quarantine, I wonder how I’ll spend this time. How does isolation impact mental health? I hope everyone who is alone right now is feeling okay.

As of today, Denmark has closed its borders and the US has restricted flights to a small number (either 11 or 13?) of airports. Although this closure does not impact American citizens, it could mean the amount of flights offered, for the foreseeable future, are dramatically less. I think I left at the right time, given the circumstances.

Now, more than ever, we must rely on technology to communicate. Make sure to check in on loved ones as well as yourself. We’re bound to see massive changes within the next week with regards to this virus.

I truly didn’t think I was at risk in Denmark. I thought I was fine. And I thought I would have more time. But a week can change a lot.