@valpoguy One of our friends was treated for bile duct cancer with an eventual liver transplant from late to 2019 through 2021. He traveled by plane to and from Mayo. He is doing very well now but I think traveling before we had vaccinations available was very scary.

Why are you going to Mayo Clinic? If it's a more urgent matter then I think it's worth the risk of COVID just as our friend did in 2020 and 2021. I'm sure you know that the risk level seems to change frequently and if we want to go forward with your lives we have to be flexible. What does your local physician say about all of this?

When I had radiation therapy at Mayo in late 2021 I asked what would happen if I contracted COVID while I was there for the 6 weeks of radiation. I was informed that Mayo had a very complete protocol that will still allow me to get my treatments even if I had COVID! I wasn't looking for an excuse to miss radiation. I just wanted to know how carefully I had to quarantine while I was in Rochester. So, many practices at Mayo have thought this through very well.

I hope this helps you to make that risk/benefit ratio decision for yourself.

@valpoguy Hello and welcome to Connect. I do share your concerns about Covid and public transportation as well. Would you be able to drive to Mayo Clinic or have a friend drive you there? I wouldn't recommend doing that in January and February because winters can be epic in Minnesota, and you need to be prepared with reliable transportation and warm clothing, and be prepared for survival in case of a breakdown.

Catching Covid can get medical appointments canceled. I went through surgery at Mayo on my ankle in 2020 during the pandemic, again last fall, and both times, I had to avoid people so I could stay healthy and pass the Covid tests I would get prior to my scheduled surgeries.

I have been using the N95 masks that I got at the pharmacy whenever I go into a store. I get my shopping done quickly, and have hand sanitizer in my car, although in the heat of summer, I don't leave it my car because of the alcohol content which is flammable. I wash my hands often, and when I return home.

Vaccines do help, but as you know, they do not prevent Covid infections, but can reduce the severity.

Have you contacted your primary care doctor and otho doctor about precautions and their recommendations for your health? You do have to weigh the risks of not seeing your providers and not getting medical check ups done in a timely manner. That could affect your health negatively or something can be missed that is more easily treated early.

How far would you have to travel to get to Mayo? Are some of your needs things that could be addressed locally where you live?

Hi @valpoguy,
I share @jenniferhunter 's welcome and just wanted to let you know I moved your post here so you can connect with the people who had questions about COVID and traveling.

Tips: Traveling to Mayo to get medical care safely during COVID-19
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-traveling-and-getting-medical-care-safely-during-covid-19/

I relate to your concerns as I have big concerns over travel too.
I am fortunate that I live in the Twin Cities so I can drive down to Mayo and only have to worry about the winter weather.
But I had lung surgery at Mayo end Dec 2021 and one month later I caught Covid despite my complete isolation from everybody, curbside pickup and N95. It was four months from first booster (second had not been authorized yet).
The only advantage of having caught Covid in February was that I did not need to test for my Angiogram/Coronary Stent procedure at Mayo in April because PCR tests continue to pick up virus even after one is well. So Mayo does not test for 90 days after a PCR positive test. But Covid situation is such that Mayo did not even want me to stay the night after my stent procedure. I stayed in a hotel nearby the first night
So many planes and shuttle changes are definitely of concern. Apart from the cancelled flight mess that is going on, I know people that have tested positive and then gotten on the plane the next day. Lots of people have no problem going out and not isolating when positive. They don't feel sick so why stay home they think.
I recently caught Covid again - in an open-air restaurant - sitting next to a person who then tested positive.
One thing to ask Mayo is - if you test positive, how many days before they would do the test or procedure after your positive Covid test. You might be able to plan around that.
FYI, since Mayo scores me as high risk, and I am on Plavix for stent currently and therefore cannot take anti-viral Paxlovid, Mayo provided me immediate alternative treatment. Fortunate for me because my local doctor could not!