Taking the Kids: What the end of mask mandates on planes mean for families

At the same time, Travelers’ COVID-19 fears are receding. According to the latest Travel Sentiment Survey from Longwoods International, a record low 19 percent of American travelers now say that fear of COVID-19 will greatly impact their decision to travel in the next six months. Four out of 10 (38 percent) now say the pandemic has no impact whatsoever on their upcoming travel plans, though nearly the same number — 37 percent — say rising gas prices will greatly impact their plans.

Many may be more comfortable flying now that the mask mandate has been reversed. “They will feel that air travel is less of a hassle and thus are more inclined to do so,” suggests Amir Eylon, president & CEO of Longwoods International.

Those with young kids or immuno-compromised family members “will avoid travel a bit longer as they may see a higher risk,” he suggests.

It is important to note that nearly 13 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic started, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics — over 33,000 cases just in the second week in April. More than 1,000 children have died and many more have been hospitalized.

That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all those children eligible get vaccinated. As of this month, only 28 percent of children ages 5 to 11 have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine; 58 percent of children 12 to 17 have been vaccinated. Vaccination rates vary across the country, the AAP notes.

It is also important to note that many adults and children can be asymptomatic and infect others, especially the most vulnerable. That’s why the Academy of Pediatrics urges state and local policy makers “to keep in mind the unique needs of children when considering COVID-19 mitigation measures. For some children, including those too young to be immunized and many with special health care needs, masking will still be an important layer of protection for a while longer,” said Dr. Moira Szilagyi, AAP president.

“We encourage each family to make a plan that works best for them, while also modeling empathy and discouraging bullying of any child who chooses to mask to protect themselves and their family even when not required to do so,” she said.

What can you do if you’ve booked flights and no longer feel comfortable flying? It depends on your airline — and travel insurance.

You would need a “Cancel Anytime,” policy that allows you to cancel for almost any unforeseen reason, explained Allianz spokesman Daniel Durazo. Allianz, one of the largest providers of travel insurance in the United States, has such policies, he said, but they must be purchased through a travel adviser or another travel supplier.

American Airlines will also refund a refundable ticket and depending on the fare rules for a nonrefundable one, you could apply the unused value toward a future trip within a year without a fee. “We continue to evaluate our travel waiver and travel credits policies during these uncertain times,” an American spokesman said, adding that Basic Economy tickets, the cheapest, are nonrefundable and non-changeable. In these times, it may be worth a little more money for a lot more flexibility.

Southwest Airlines will refund a refundable ticket. If the ticket is nonrefundable, the value of the ticket becomes a travel fund to use on a future flight, a Southwest spokesman said, noting that the HEPA air filtration system on the aircraft “remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles.”

In fact, experts suggest, there could be more risk at the airport.

Be safe out there! And read the fine print before booking.

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia and The Kid’s Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)