Extremely vulnerable person am I forced to travel?

mr_ottermole

All. Apologies if this has come up before but I am quite worried about being forced to travel so I don't lose my money through disinclination to travel.  Any advice greatly appreciated.

I am in the ev group and am still shielding.  I had booked a hotel in Berlin in January for travel in September (and travel insurance at the same time) who have refused to refund me but have offered to move my booking up until December this year or keep my money as a credit.  I am really frightened about leaving my house let alone the country and don't think I want to travel anywhere at all for some time.   I have travel insurance with travel disruption and also paid for the hotel on my credit card.  I am now very worried that I will be forced to go wait in the airport, get on a plane, go to a hotel room that I can't guarantee is covid free and potentially put my life at risk as I can't cancel as I will get nothing back as it will be classed as disinclination to travel

Can anyone provide any advice for those of us who are in the ev group with upcoming travel plans?  I've invested about 600 into this 5 day trip and it's taken me several years to save up to be able to go.  However I am really frightened about even leaving my house let alone getting on a plane and going to another country.

Thanks in advance

macman

No-one will 'force you to travel', but if the flights and accom are available, and we are not in lockdown, then you will not be able to get a refund if you cancel. 
You might be able to claim on your travel insurance if you are able to produce medical evidence that you are unable to travel, in your case presumably that would require some sort of pyschological examination?
Otherwise I would accept the offer of a credit note on the hotel, and see if you can change the flights (which airline are you booked with?). September is a long way ahead in COVID-world, let alone December.

unforeseen

Shielding ceases from 1 August so you are no different to anybody else. 
As this was only ever advice to shield then its your choice. 

[Deleted User]

Hi Mr-ottermole.     I really feel it for you as you have probably saved for a special kind of treat to yourself but your health really is more important than risking it.  Are you speaking about flights as well as hotel?   Who did you pay your money to? and who is it that has offered to defer your holiday?    I am not clear as you mention being at a hotel but only that the hotel has offered to credit you, no mention of rebooking flights?

Unfortunately as previous has said the gesture is probably going to be as good as it gets unless your GP can write you a letter for the insurance company?   No harm in discussing how you feel including mental anxiety (not wishing anything on you but you do sound very anxious).   

If your GP can't help then do consider transferring your booking or accepting a credit note - it actually isn't a bad gesture as nobody knows what the situation will be by December (you might be able to transfer it again) or/ and you may also be feeling a lot better about it all.   Some hotels are refusing to move at all if  they are open..    Good luck

PS. taken me a while to get this off, was interrupted,  so apologies if someone else has jumped in and said same thing in meantime.

mr_ottermole

macman said:

No-one will 'force you to travel', but if the flights and accom are available, and we are not in lockdown, then you will not be able to get a refund if you cancel. 
You might be able to claim on your travel insurance if you are able to produce medical evidence that you are unable to travel, in your case presumably that would require some sort of pyschological examination?
Otherwise I would accept the offer of a credit note on the hotel, and see if you can change the flights (which airline are you booked with?). September is a long way ahead in COVID-world, let alone December.

I am immune compromised and have been for many years.  The doctors are fully aware and I've been having flu jabs for a long time as well.  I don't think I will ever feel safe enough to go away from my home for a very long time and don't think I will ever go abroad again so a credit note is worthless to me unfortunately.  Thanks for replying though.  I think I will have to accept the risk and go in September as I can't justify wasting 600 quid on nothing.  I already have my will and no dependants so it's not like anyone will miss me should I die from corona.

bagand96

mr_ottermole said:

I am immune compromised and have been for many years.  The doctors are fully aware and I've been having flu jabs for a long time as well.  I don't think I will ever feel safe enough to go away from my home for a very long time and don't think I will ever go abroad again so a credit note is worthless to me unfortunately.  Thanks for replying though.  I think I will have to accept the risk and go in September as I can't justify wasting 600 quid on nothing.  I already have my will and no dependants so it's not like anyone will miss me should I die from corona.

All of the advice you've had in this post is correct, so nothing to add to that.

It's a shame you feel frightened to leave your house due to C-19 and your condition.  Hopefully things continue moving in the right direction and the world can continue moving back to some sort of normality.  If you decide to travel, that's great.  Easier said than done I know - but try not to overthink it.  Take precautions that you would normally take as well as new measures that are now in place.  Before January when we all heard of Covid-19, you (and the rest of us) were at risk of all manner of infections and diseases, Covid-19 is just one more.  Yes it's new, and yes science is behind it - that has made it frightening (that and  the press) - but it won't be like that forever.

Also consider that Germany has been the European example of how to deal with Covid-19, and has a significantly better record than the UK.

bradders1983

Also consider that catching it doesnt mean instant death like all the Facebook "Karens" would have you believe.

mr_ottermole

Tedber said:

Hi Mr-ottermole.     I really feel it for you as you have probably saved for a special kind of treat to yourself but your health really is more important than risking it.  Are you speaking about flights as well as hotel?   Who did you pay your money to? and who is it that has offered to defer your holiday?    I am not clear as you mention being at a hotel but only that the hotel has offered to credit you, no mention of rebooking flights?

Unfortunately as previous has said the gesture is probably going to be as good as it gets unless your GP can write you a letter for the insurance company?   No harm in discussing how you feel including mental anxiety (not wishing anything on you but you do sound very anxious).   

If your GP can't help then do consider transferring your booking or accepting a credit note - it actually isn't a bad gesture as nobody knows what the situation will be by December (you might be able to transfer it again) or/ and you may also be feeling a lot better about it all.   Some hotels are refusing to move at all if  they are open..    Good luck

PS. taken me a while to get this off, was interrupted,  so apologies if someone else has jumped in and said same thing in meantime.

Thanks I booked British airways with avios so not losing too much there.  I booked.the holiday direct with hotel and airline as it was much cheaper.  I am really struggling with the fact I've been in solitary confinement and havent left my house since the 17th march and then hey presto on the 1st August it's all safe to go back outside.  Which it clearly isn't.  I know September is a while off but it is worrying me a bit.  Thank you for your concern.

mr_ottermole

bagand96 said:

mr_ottermole said:

I am immune compromised and have been for many years.  The doctors are fully aware and I've been having flu jabs for a long time as well.  I don't think I will ever feel safe enough to go away from my home for a very long time and don't think I will ever go abroad again so a credit note is worthless to me unfortunately.  Thanks for replying though.  I think I will have to accept the risk and go in September as I can't justify wasting 600 quid on nothing.  I already have my will and no dependants so it's not like anyone will miss me should I die from corona.

All of the advice you've had in this post is correct, so nothing to add to that.

It's a shame you feel frightened to leave your house due to C-19 and your condition.  Hopefully things continue moving in the right direction and the world can continue moving back to some sort of normality.  If you decide to travel, that's great.  Easier said than done I know - but try not to overthink it.  Take precautions that you would normally take as well as new measures that are now in place.  Before January when we all heard of Covid-19, you (and the rest of us) were at risk of all manner of infections and diseases, Covid-19 is just one more.  Yes it's new, and yes science is behind it - that has made it frightening (that and  the press) - but it won't be like that forever.

Also consider that Germany has been the European example of how to deal with Covid-19, and has a significantly better record than the UK.

Thanks for this. It's not the precautions I am taking that are an issue as I have always washed my hands and used hand sanitiser regularly.  What worries me is the behaviour of others.  Reposts of people going to the pub after they've been told they have been in contact with someone with Corona as well as others who aren't socially distancing and too close to me really is scary.
Thanks again!

mr_ottermole

bradders1983 said:

Also consider that catching it doesnt mean instant death like all the Facebook "Karens" would have you believe.

Knowing my luck it likely will be.  I'm one of those people who has lots of luck it's just all bad!!  I was so unlucky I was even born with a birth defect so rare it's on the rare and orphan database!!!  Started as I mean to go on I think!!

[Deleted User]

mr_ottermole said:

bradders1983 said:

Also consider that catching it doesnt mean instant death like all the Facebook "Karens" would have you believe.

Knowing my luck it likely will be.  I'm one of those people who has lots of luck it's just all bad!!  I was so unlucky I was even born with a birth defect so rare it's on the rare and orphan database!!!  Started as I mean to go on I think!!

Awwww bless you Mr ottermole.   A bit off topic and out of my area (am not a counsellor) but I do think you need someone to speak to about how you are feeling.   Everyone is feeling 'off' due to this surreal existence but some are coping better than others.  I would suggest you start with your GP and tell him your thoughts.   He/she may be able to put you in touch with other organisations.   Help the Aged are wonderful and you can contact on-line.   Please don't be afraid to ask for help. Good luck.