Nah, it’s just another flu
I AM STANDING at the aircraft door. We have landed, taxiied to the gate, my door disarmed and ready to open. I wait for the gate agent to give me a thumbs up through the window, indicating the jetway is in place, the door can be safely opened, passengers can deplane.
It is early January, 2020. The holidays are over, life is back to normal after the Christmas and New Year’s rush. A man who had been sitting in first class is waiting with me at the door. He tells me he is on his way to Thailand, a business trip. Have I heard about this new respiratory virus in Asia? What do I think? Will he be safe traveling to Thailand?
“You’ll be fine,” I say reassuringly. “Enjoy your trip. It’s just another flu.”