As pandemic still looms in Washington, ‘your level of concern is up to you’ for holiday travel

With the holidays coming up, Washington health officials are urging caution for those who plan to travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But how concerned should people be?

Washington could top pre-pandemic Thanksgiving travel volumes in 2021

According to a Wednesday briefing from the state Department of Health, Washington’s COVID rates have continued to trend in the right direction, although the possibility remains for a winter surge. As state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah pointed out, COVID rates at this time are similar to where they were in November of 2020. Last year’s holiday season then led to a sizable surge in cases.

In terms of how much that should worry potential travelers, KIRO Radio’s Aaron Mason — filling in for Ursula Reutin this week on the Gee & Ursula Show — believes that it should largely be up to individuals.

“Your level of concern is up to you,” he said. “If you’re someone who is immunocompromised, the gathering is huge, and you don’t know their vaccination status, then you should be very concerned. If you’re somebody who is vaccinated, doesn’t go out much, and keeps the the bubble small, you have to be less concerned.”

“Just be reasonable, be rational,” he added. “Just have a little concern — there’s no need to to panic, it’s not the end of the world.”

Moreover, Aaron also notes that people should “be reasonable” if a family member or friend isn’t comfortable gathering for the holidays.

“Give them a break,” he opined.

“Do what’s best for you and your family and be as safe as possible,” Gee & Ursula Show co-host Gee Scott agreed.

You can listen to the full discussion at this link.

Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.