Bay Area couple stuck in Italy: How husband's breakthrough COVID case could cost them $10,000

[MisterNiceKitty]

Matthew tested positive for COVID-19, despite both he and his wife taking two tests 24 hours before they left.

https://abc7news.com/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-restrictions-italy/10970244/

By Tim Johns
Monday, August 23, 2021

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (KGO) -- It's a trip many people dream of -- an anniversary trip to Italy.

But for Matthew and Katherine Walden of Mountain View, their anniversary to Milan has turned into a nightmare.

"The night that we arrived here in Italy, I woke up in the middle of the night with a fever," Matthew said.

The next morning, Matthew tested positive for COVID-19, despite both he and his wife taking two tests 24 hours before they left and both being fully vaccinated.

Now, they're stuck in quarantine in their hotel for anywhere between 10 and 21 days, depending on how things unfold."

[NurseJackie]

1. I hope they have a nice view.

The story fails to mention if they were vaccinated. (I'm guessing not.)

[JohnSJ]

2. It mentions at the end of the excerpt that they were both vaccinated. Of course a lot of

details are missing, such as when they were vaccinated, what were they vaccinated with, etc.

[NurseJackie]

3. Thanks.

I missed it.

[Hugin]

5. So what if they were tested twice in 24 hours is my question.

Personally, I'd be looking for two tests in 72 hours. That 24 hour window doesn't seem very in line with how a COVID infection intensifies. Especially, if they were vaccinated.

[LisaL]

4. Breakthrough case (right in the title) means vaccinated.

During pandemic, traveling (internationally) is not the best idea.

[NurseJackie]

6. Thank you, hon!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. I honestly don't understand why so many people are insisting they must take a trip somewhere.

Yeah, there are trips I've missed in the past year and a half, and there will be more I don't take before this is finally over. But staying home, reading books, catching up on Netflicks, and doing a very small amount of socializing here is more than enough. Eventually I'll be able to resume my travels.

[Wingus Dingus]

9. Im my case, elderly parents and a new grandbaby (now a toddler) who live far away from me.

A year and a half is a long time. I'm holding off on air travel until a good moment when this shit calms down again, and for booster shots, but it's not looking good.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. Yes, I understand that a year and a half is a long time.

But put it into perspective. When our various grandparents or great-grandparents left The Old Country to come to this country, they knew they'd never see their family and friends again. Similarly, when we (Mom, us five kids) moved from northern New York State to Tucson, Arizona in 1962, we honestly thought we'd never see any of them again. Luckily for us it wasn't long before travelling within this country became common and easy.

I also have family and friends I haven't seen since the outbreak of Covid. I'm hoping to see some of them reasonably soon. But I also on keeping in mind what it must have been like for most people in Europe after September, 1939. They sure as hell weren't going anywhere, and I don't recall seeing any whining from them about this restriction. So honestly? Suck it up. There's a pandemic happening. You can't travel anywhere. Find something else to do. Read a book. Learn how to knit. Teach some kids to raise turtles. Do something. Life does not come to and end just because you can't visit somewhere.

In normal times I do various science fiction things, all of which have been cancelled or made virtual since last April. I am hoping I can attend one (MileHi in Denver for those who care) in October, but if it doesn't happen, or if I personally decide I'm not willing to take the risk, then so be it. There's always next year, or the year after.

At a more personal level, I have not seen my only living son since October, 2019. I'm in Santa Fe, NM, he's in Fairfax, VA. I would understandably love to see him, but I'm not personally willing to get on an airplane and fly to his part of the country, and I'm also not willing to ask him to do something I won't do. Eventually this will all end and we will see each other again.

[Vinca]

8. $10,000? Here in America we call that "chump change" when talking about healthcare.

Covid treatment will set you back far, far more than $10,000 - especially since even health insurance companies have bailed on waiving deductibles and co-pays when it comes to Covid.

[Laurelin]

10. I was expecting friends this month

Two different families from the US. We're all fully vaccinated but both groups canceled for fear someone would have a breakthrough infection and be stuck in Europe. My daughter did come but went home on schedule with a negative test. I'm sad my other friends couldn't come but I do understand their concern.

One of my husband's coworkers was in Brazil when the pandemic started, visiting family. He didn't make it back to his home in the Netherlands for a year. Another coworker was here and cut his trip short because he was afraid he'd be stuck here. It's just been a challenging time for traveling.

[Tree Lady]

11. We had to cancel our anniversary trip to Italy last year

And I was smart enough to know not to rebook for a few years.

What are people thinking? Its actually worse than before because it spreads easier with the variants.

We rented a airbnb on coast and drove and mostly cook here at house. We needed to leave where we live because we are in an area than gets smoke every summer on and off for two months. Dog and us needed some walks!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

13. Good. So glad to see a sensible response.

Yes, I understand you are very disappointed at cancelling your anniversary trip.

I myself have never been to Italy, but I know from all reports it is truly wonderful. My sister and her husband had longed planned to go, but alas her husband died before that could happen. Several years later she was able to go on her own, and even though she understandably missed her husband, she had a wonderful trip.

It should be a lot like that for all of us. Things are not the same. Changes need to be made. I, like all of you, have various specific plans of my own. I hope they happen, but if they don't, I will be flexible.

[Demovictory9]

14. i can't imagine international travel now.. too risky