2021’s Best Cities for Your Summer Vaxcation

What will summer travel look like this year?

People are anxious to get away, and outdoor- or nature-oriented locations will be especially popular.

There will be a certain population that is looking to bust out after being cooped up. They will seek a raucous locale and be happy to be in crowds.

Others lost their jobs during the pandemic and may have limited funds. They will seek scaled-down trips, perhaps renting a cabin and cooking their own meals.

Of course, there will be others who just feel lucky to be alive and will bring out their credit card and plan that trip to Paris. There are multiple scenarios that will unfold this summer.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

Gas prices historically go up during the summer, and airfare rates will be tricky. Airlines have great losses from last year to make up for, but they also need to fill planes to be profitable. Booking early is important. Desirable rental properties will probably raise rates.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Families with children who are unvaccinated still need to take precautions, yet there are many fun outdoor activities that kids can do safely, such as canoeing, rafting, and biking. If done in a novel location, these pursuits can be as exciting as more curated or “commercial” sites like crowded amusement parks.
2. Have a back-up plan. Rental homes can cancel on you, and international travel especially can be subject to last-minute restrictions this summer. When you book anything — whether it be a hotel, house or flight — get information on cancellation fees, and buy insurance if possible. Consider double-booking if you are restricted to a certain date, making sure you can cancel one with no fees if necessary.
3. Embrace adventure. Consider researching unusual places you would not ordinarily visit; look for bargains rather than have your mind set on one certain location.

What will summer travel look like this year?

Pent-up demand for travel, loss of many of the superstar hospitality and travel employees to other industries, higher prices across the board, and the “favorite vacation spots” for many of us are already booked. This will lead to a summer of new adventures and memories.

The uncertainty of the supply chain is a wildcard factor adding to this inflationary pressure. Everyone wants a New York Broadway Production for their summer vacation. Still, the industry in general is not ready, and expectations for a community theatre production are more realistic for the summer of 2021.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

Many people want to travel, especially by air this summer, but the seats are very limited, and as of today, all passengers must be inside the plane to fly. Add to this the ability to monitor every time a consumer logs in to check a date, location, and time, and the winner will be the airlines. They control supply and know the demand.

The consumer will continue to see “amazingly low prices” offered for a certain flight with tiny print saying some restrictions apply. This typically means a very limited number of seats are available for this price and could be only one day in the summer.

Again, the purpose of this super low price is to monitor demand — how many people want to fly where and when? Once this super low price is gone, additional seats will be available but at an increased price.

Again, the Co$t of the $ummer of 2021 for travel is going to be substantial. As one looks at the hotel industry, occupancy and demand are up over 75% for March to May, increasing costs per night.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. When thinking about a safe summer vacation, realize that the United States is not the world (related to COVID-19 and the percentage of the population vaccinated). So be safe, be prudent, and look to convention and visitors bureaus or city tourism websites for top-10 lists of things to do. Looking more local is one idea to have a memorable and economical summer of 2021. Pools, cookouts, family visits are another way to go.
2. Find a theme, and plan a nontraditional vacation. One idea is an East Coast “Hall of Fame Trip” in Canton for football; Cleveland for rock ’n roll; National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York; and baseball in Cooperstown, New York. There are so many tourist sites that would enjoy hosting you and your family. The key is to plan lodging options and consider driving versus flying.
3. Finally, your travels may not be perfect this summer, as this sleepy giant, the hospitality-tourism industry, awakes from a long nap. I would ask you for more patience, forgiveness to the staff, and I wish you a fantastic summer of memories.

What will summer travel look like this year?

More and more people will feel safe to travel, thanks to vaccination, and more travel destinations will reopen. However, options for international travel may still be limited.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

We might be saying goodbye to the cheap summer tickets soon. However, it is still uncertain if the price will be back to the pre-pandemic level this summer. It depends on how fast the demand will pick up.

Given the business travels might take a long time to return, airlines may need to keep their fares competitive to attract leisure travelers.

Other travel costs to consider: rental car, because many suppliers have a shortage of vehicles.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Plan in advance. Depending on the travel destinations, hours might differ, and advance ticket reservation may be required.
2. Be flexible in the mode of travel. If you don’t feel comfortable about flying, why not take a road trip?
3. Take extra care when traveling with children because vaccines are not available for all kids yet.

What will summer travel look like this year?

I personally believe that summer travel will be up this summer. The airlines have already shared that passenger counts have increased by 77%, up from 29% last year.

I also believe people are exhausted and tired of being cooped up, which is going to motivate families to take trips and travel. Northern Michigan will be a hotspot for travel this year.

Families can spend some time in the great outdoors, and that is what we need right now. We need to be outdoors vacationing to relieve families of stress. I also believe families are technology-exhausted and want to turn it off.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

I see air travel fares increase based on supply and demand. Demand is going to increase, and supply will be limited, which we know will drive cost up.

The other increase is going to be gas for those who like to drive to their destinations. I see gas prices increase based on the same theory, the supply-and-demand curve.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air while signing off technology. We need to detox from all the technology that we were forced to embrace to survive the pandemic. I think the mind needs a fresh break.
2. Do not be naïve and forget. We need to remember good old-fashioned hygiene: Wash often, and, if you are experiencing any symptoms, stay home. Stop the spread of any virus.
3. Lastly, go stay at a resort, dine in a restaurant, and support your local hospitality industry. Many properties are operating with a shortage in staff. Please keep that in mind when your food takes a few extra minutes to prepare, or if your guest room is not ready at check-in, do not panic or yell at the staff members. We have a labor shortage, and the ones working do not deserve to be yelled at. Also do not forget: You are on a family vacation — have fun.

What will summer travel look like this year?

Summer always brings increased levels of leisure travel, and this year will be no exception. Thanks to robust vaccination participation and the end of COVID-19 restrictions in markets across the country, consumer confidence in the safety of travel, combined with a desire to see friends and family after prolonged separation, means an active summer travel schedule for many.

Various industry organizations are reporting the upward trend in leisure travel (both ground and air) has started and expectations are high for the summer.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

Airlines and hotels rely on complex pricing strategies that take into account many factors, but an important one is supply and demand. When the demand for services is low, like during the pandemic, airlines and hotels have a high supply of their product and drop prices. But when we see increases in demand, as we are seeing this summer, prices go up. Many savvy consumers understand this and plan accordingly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, according to the Congressional Research Service, some of the highest rates of unemployment during the pandemic were in the leisure and hospitality sector. There are still shifts occurring as workers continue to migrate to new jobs and new opportunities. Even with massive hiring efforts, many travel-and-tourism-related services are still working hard to staff up for the much anticipated high summer business volume; this could impact prices.

There are certainly ways to save money when planning a trip. Where possible, you can often get the best rates by booking early and being flexible with your travel dates, especially if you can travel during low-peak times. Look for packages that bundle several travel-related services (i.e. airfare, hotel, ground transportation, excursions), such as those organized by travel companies — this saves you money since the companies are able to purchase those services at a discount.

Last, do your homework and research what’s out there. If planning activities when you arrive, in competitive markets you can often find discount codes, coupons, membership discounts, and special deals when you reserve ahead of time. (Keep in mind that for some activities, you must book ahead of time — even when that didn’t use to be the case.)

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Know what pandemic restrictions, if any, are still in effect for the activities you plan to enjoy, and be prepared to follow the rules.
2. If there are unvaccinated children or adults in your travel party, you will want to continue to follow the same protocols as you did during the pandemic, such as masking and social distancing.
3. For those who are fully vaccinated, trust the science! You may still be feeling some re-entry anxiety, but if you trusted the science when things were bad, continue to trust it now that things are better. While you have to establish your own comfort level, recognize that you deserve this time to reconnect with those you love, see the places you have been longing to visit, and relax and refresh your spirit after a very long year. So enjoy!
   

What will summer travel look like this year?

• Many are claiming this to be the “Summer of Missed Opportunities” with record high domestic travel numbers. However, with the high rising cost of gas, consumer products and services, this may be the summer of the “One and Only Family Trip” as expenses will add up quickly.
• With labor shortages and high demand for services, patience and planning are needed for positive experiences with and for service industry providers.
• Planning ahead will be essential. For those “on the fly, make a plan as I get there” travelers like me, planning ahead takes the fun out of the adventure. However, by not doing so, we may be stranded in high tourist locations without lodging, a rental car, or flight if bookings aren’t done at least several weeks in advance now.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

• Airfare has been steadily increasing — up 10% since April for domestic travel and 17% for international fares.
• Gas is at its highest since 2014. This impacts air travel as well, as consumers will pay a part of that cost in their ticket pricing. Airlines have a lot of lost revenue to make up for, and the positive improvements we saw during COVID making airfare ticket changes free or easy are gone. The benefit is back to the business, not the consumer.
• With the high demand for travel and labor shortage, there will be sold-out hotels, attractions, rental homes, car rentals, and flights. This increase in demand will increase the cost to the consumer.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

• I believe the tips are the same for those vaccinated and those not vaccinated. Be responsible for your (and your family’s) health. Don’t travel and be around people if you are sick. Allow personal space when appropriate. We tend to overcrowd attractions, flights, beaches, and dining establishments to the point it’s not enjoyable. Keep up a healthy routine — don’t leave the hand sanitizer in the past. COVID isn’t the only reason to focus on cleanliness!
• Respect the business’ operating protocols, or find another service to use. If they require a mask, wear one; if they require reservations, make them. Realize there are shortages of supplies and all amenities may not be available or the same as they were years ago. Many small businesses are doing all they can to make it through the lost year. Respect their hard work and what it takes for them to keep their doors open.
• If possible, avoid the tourist-trap areas this summer. Try out new, away-from-the-masses vacation ideas. It’s obvious the popular beaches will be packed this summer, along with amusement parks and many national parks. Consider lesser-known but equally (if not more so) wonderful destinations like Block Island, Rhode Island; Beaufort, South Carolina; Hudson Valley, New York; Great Basin National Park, Nevada; or Ocras Island, Washington.

What will summer travel look like this year?

There is a lot of pent-up demand for travel this year. Some of the patterns will be the same as last year with people choosing standalone accommodations such as Airbnb. Others are continuing to use RVs and camp. The national parks are gearing up for another busy summer in this regard.

The big difference between last summer and this is travelers are returning to flying. We’ve already seen reports of the numbers of passengers on some days equaling those seen pre-pandemic. Many of the journeys will continue to be domestic, as there are still border restrictions for some popular countries such as the UK and Canada. Some of the European countries have opened to vaccinated U.S. travelers, so there is some travel overseas, but a lot of people have chosen to stay within the U.S.

Of course, in a few weeks we will also see more of the cruise ships embark on their first voyages since 2020. Again, there is pent-up demand among the avid cruisers.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

We seem to be in a period right now where many products, not just travel, are increasing in price. In the travel realm, prices have increased. I am not sure if we will see record prices, although already rental-car prices have reached some rates that we haven’t seen before.

Some indications show that prices are not just related to increased demand but also constrictions in the supply chain. It will take some sectors of the travel industry time to scale up again in terms of safety, certification, and training of their employees. While this occurs, just like the constricted supply chains in other product sectors we will see higher prices. Will these reach record prices? I am not sure. Will they be sustained? Again, this will also be related to demand as we go into the fall and winter.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

While fully vaccinated individuals do have more freedom, particularly as we see the rise in the Delta variant right now, we should still be mindful that we are not quite out of the woods yet. I would continue to enjoy activities outside, to continue the hygiene routines we have employed for the past 18 months, and to monitor your family’s health. There are several rapid tests that are available over the counter now that might be a good addition to a vacation first aid kit. So be safe, but have fun!

What will summer travel look like this year?

As we have already seen, summer travel is popular, but there is a caveat to this. While summer travel is already quite popular, not all summer destinations are going to experience the same level of success. Generally, those destinations and attractions that allow people to be outdoors and experience something exciting will benefit most this summer. We are already seeing examples of this. Our national parks are experiencing record-breaking numbers, and places such as Disney World and Orlando are quite popular. I believe we will continue to see this sort of pattern for the rest of the summer.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

Airfares are going up, but again, there is a caveat to this. Many prices seem high in relation to prices during the pandemic, but in many cases these prices are what we were paying in the pre-pandemic time.

In terms of airfare, I would be keeping an eye on the impact of labor shortages in the airline industry. Airlines such as American Airlines have had to cut flights due to the labor shortage, and if this continues, then this could push ticket costs higher as demand will outweigh supply.

The other big cost I am keeping an eye on is gas. We have already seen prices on gas tick upward. As more people take to traveling this summer, the issues with supply chains and greater demand are going to increase gas prices even higher.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

My first tip is stay off the beaten path. While I am starting to feel better in crowds, social distancing is still a great way to reduce the chance of getting COVID. At the same time, staying away from bigger destinations and attractions is going to lead to less crowds, which is always more fun in my opinion. For example, check out state parks instead of national parks…they are sometimes just as amazing, but a lot less people to contend with.

My second tip, which I think is pretty obvious, but bears repeating is stay outdoors. The U.S. has so many incredible outdoor experiences, and as we have learned, being outdoors goes a long way towards reducing the chance of contracting COVID.

Finally, try different forms of accommodations. Maybe try a camping trip, or renting an RV. These alternative forms of accommodations often lead to unique experiences you may have never considered, and again, will keep more socially distant from other people. Personally, I love packing up the car with my family, and finding unique places to setup our tent and camping gear. While this may prevent you from taking a shower for a couple days, there is something truly amazing about camping away from the crowds!

What will summer travel look like this year?

The travel industry needs to be prepared for a busy summer as people feel more comfortable taking a vacation that is long overdue. However, travelers are likely to prefer non-urban and nature/outdoor destinations, such as national/state parks and beaches. Road trips will be popular. Most summer travel will remain domestic, and international travel will not rebound as quickly as domestic travel.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

I expect a significant increase in airfares because 1) demand is picking up; 2) airlines, like any other industries, are facing staffing shortages and need to pay overtime or offer a higher salary to fill the needs; and 3) inflation drives supply costs up. These may also cause prices of other travel sectors (e.g., hotels, short-term vacation homes, rental cars, and restaurants) to rise.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Research and follow state and local COVID requirements and recommendations. Some states have strict requirements to get in (e.g., Hawaii).
2. Plan and book early to guarantee a spot and lower travel costs. A lot of restaurants may require reservations due to COVID protocol and limited capacity.
3. Go off the grid: Don’t check emails, and turn off your phone/laptop.
   

What will summer travel look like this year?

I believe individuals would prefer to have domestic travels instead of international ones. One reason is the high prices of flights due to fewer available flights and low demand. On the other hand, individuals would want to be closer to home so that if something happens again, such as a lockdown due to a pandemic, they can go back home easily.

Since it is summer, lots of outdoor activities, such as going to the beach and hiking in nature, would be the preferred activities. Also, due to the pandemic, many celebrations, such as weddings, honeymoons, and family reunions were postponed, and this summer these events will be more than what we used to have before.

Many individuals may prefer to rent on Airbnb or similar accommodation-sharing platforms because they can choose ones that are isolated or in less crowded areas. I believe some people would still be hesitant to go to overcrowded areas. This depends on the age of the person and their willingness to take risks.

After a year of record-low prices, airfares are rising again because of the strong rebound in travel. Do you expect fare prices to reach record highs this summer? Why or why not? What other travel costs do you expect to rise, if any?

The prices will not be record high because of the economic situation of consumers. If the prices are too high, then the demand will be lower.

I still believe that prices will rise but will not be record high. It can be a record high for the pandemic time but not the most expensive prices ever.

Travel-insurance prices may increase if individuals choose an insurance type that covers pandemic-related issues, such as lockdowns or travel restrictions. This could be more obvious for international travel.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Spend more time outside, and enjoy the weather.
2. Keep social-distancing with others who didn’t get vaccinated yet.
3. Check the travel destination’s regulations and rules that may affect your trip, such as mandatory quarantine at a hotel, etc.

What will summer travel look like this year?

We should expect a lot of travel this year. Many of us are feeling cooped up and, with some of the pandemic travel restrictions easing, cannot wait to head out of our homes and have some fun in the sun.

However, we still need to exercise caution as we have not yet reached optimal vaccination levels to reach herd immunity. Thus following some of the precautions we started following during the pandemic is essential to enjoyment of our summer vacations.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vacation?

My top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vacation are:

1. Follow some of the pandemic precautions like maintaining six-feet distance from people whom you are not familiar with. Carrying hand sanitizers and masks with you and using them in areas where you are not certain are important.

2. Be kind, polite, and courteous to people around you. Everyone has been through a lot in the past year and a half, and we do not want to add to this burden.

3. Get vaccinated if you have not already. The vaccine is safe and effective and our biggest weapon to keep ourselves and the people around us safe and healthy.

As life slowly returns to normal in the U.S., the issue of mask wearing remains contentious: Some experts advocate wearing masks even after the pandemic ends, while others argue that normalizing no masks would engender trust in vaccine efficacy and therefore encourage more people to get vaccinated. What’s your take?

My take is to keep masks handy, especially while traveling, and use them in areas where you are not certain, especially in crowded public places even if you are fully vaccinated.

What advice would you give to people who are skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines?

Please dismiss any fear you may be harboring about the vaccine. The vaccine is completely safe and effective. It is the best means of protecting yourself and your loved ones. If you have not got it already, you truly owe this to yourself and to contributing toward a healthy, pandemic-free society and life for all of us.

What will summer travel look like this year?

If you are fully vaccinated, you can travel safely to areas in the U.S. However, there are areas in the world where COVID 19 transmission is still very high. The CDC has a list of areas where they advise restricted travel — areas are categorized into “high rate of COVID incidence” to “low rate of COVID incidence.”

If unvaccinated, you need to be extremely cautious as COVID 19, especially the variant strain, is highly contagious and can cause serious illness. The unvaccinated traveler should consult the CDC guidelines; mask wearing and six-foot social-distancing is advisable. Travel without a vaccination should be limited. Again, see the CDC guidelines.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

• Get fully vaccinated.
• Wash hands, or use sanitizer that is at least 60% ethyl alcohol frequently.
• Sneeze or cough into your arm sleeve.
• Avoid crowds; there are still many in our population who are unvaccinated.
• When using public transportation, wear a mask.
• It is best to travel with those who are vaccinated or those within your own household.
• Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings.
• If you feel ill, get COVID testing, and avoid others while sick.

As life slowly returns to normal in the U.S., the issue of mask wearing remains contentious: Some experts advocate wearing masks even after the pandemic ends, while others argue that normalizing no masks would engender trust in vaccine efficacy and therefore encourage more people to get vaccinated. What’s your take?

See the above. If fully vaccinated, I still would use a mask if in large crowds or using public transportation.

What advice would you give to people who are skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines?

I think there has been enough experience with both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to show that they are safe. You need two doses. The COVID-19 variant is now circulating and seems to be more virulent, more transmissible, and causes serious illness. With the vaccines mentioned above. it appears that you can have some level of protection from serious illness should you contract the variant.

What will summer travel look like this year?

I expect that lots of us are itching to get out and enjoy some summer fun and make up for a year of caution and quarantine. For many, though, these activities this summer could look different than before.

I think we will see a lot of outdoor activities. Getting outdoors is a great option, in terms of getting in some fun while still being smart about COVID-19. Choosing outdoors over indoors wherever possible makes it harder for the virus to survive — if it does infiltrate your activity. I’m picturing camping, hiking, beaches, boardwalks, lake trips, small-town excursions.

I also suspect we are going to see family groups meeting up for quality time. Gathering in small groups is also smart, since we might have some control over our risk levels with respect to whom we are around. Sure, we will see visits to theme parks, music festivals, and other big events again. But I expect that many will adopt a summer theme of reconnecting, in person, with our core circles.

Personally, I’ve been dreaming of a peaceful cabin in the woods, on a lake, where I can get back to nature and enjoy some peace and quiet. Then again, like many others in the COVID-19 response, I have had a very active and eventful past year with very little downtime, so unplugging sounds delightful. I’m also craving to see friends and family that I’ve only seen on Zoom, if at all, in the past 16 months, so I’m looking forward to getting together — but not with everyone right away, and not all at once.

What are your top three tips for enjoying a fun yet safe summer vaxcation?

1. Get vaccinated! Follow the WHO and CDC recommendations to be vaccinated if you can. Remember that vaccines can’t keep us from being exposed to the virus, and we don’t yet know that the vaccines can effectively block even transient infections, which means everyone should be careful when around unvaccinated individuals until we can bring this pandemic to a close.

If you aren’t vaccinated, continue to protect yourself and everyone around you by doing all the things we know to block the movement of viruses between us. Vaccines are never 100%, but they sure are good — and the best tool we have now to keep us out of the hospitals and around to see more summers to come.

2. Let’s be smart about how we travel. Travel is still how this virus moves around the community, nation, and across the globe. It is how variants move through a population, so it does pose some risk to us and to people we meet along the way. (I wrote a short piece in The Conversation about this.)

I know it’s hard to hear, but we are still in a pandemic and public health emergency. This just means that whatever we do, we should be aware of the associated risks that could expose someone to SARS-CoV-2, since every exposure carries the possibility of severe disease, hospitalization, or death.

How can we travel safely? Personal transportation is safe. Travel with others in your circle or who share similar risk comfort levels. Gather with vaccinated folks and use precautions around others. In some places, vaccination rates are still very low, so when in public spaces, maintaining distancing is still recommended. Avoid areas where there are outbreaks or where transmission remains high.

3. Be kind and respectful to others. Respect that others may wish to remain cautious with respect to COVID-19. Support their use of masks, vaccination decisions, and gathering choices. Try not to judge harshly others who throw caution to the wind. Some decisions have quite personal roots, and we don’t always know or understand why people choose what they do. Let’s stamp out stigma and help each other make good choices. Anxiety and stress levels are high still, so let’s use compassion during these dynamic times. I like to think that as we are respectful and caring, we can make a more enjoyable summer for all.

The bottom line is that if we are smart and considerate in our plans, we can exhale and enjoy.

As life slowly returns to normal in the U.S., the issue of mask wearing remains contentious: Some experts advocate wearing masks even after the pandemic ends, while others argue that normalizing no masks would engender trust in vaccine efficacy and therefore encourage more people to get vaccinated. What’s your take?

From a public health standpoint, there is always a use for masks when there is an infectious disease that can be spread in the way SARS-CoV-2 is. We routinely use masks in hospitals and other clinical settings for this exact reason. We regularly use masks with other diseases, too, such as tuberculosis.

So reaching for the mask if an outbreak pops up in your immediate circle or more widespread in your community might be in order. It might sound strange to keep a mask in your medicine cabinet — two years ago, very few of us would have guessed that would be useful — but masks are a good barrier to respiratory spread and will remain a tool in any ongoing or recurrent battle against this virus.

That being said, widespread mask use would not be necessary in areas where the virus has been eliminated or well contained. I think we all have that to look forward to.

What advice would you give to people who are skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines?

Having questions about vaccines is normal, and thinking critically about our health decisions is smart. For answers, look to the good and reliable information sources, such as the American Society of Virology, which has been hosting online Town Halls where the public can talk to real experts.

These mRNA vaccines are some of the best ever, in terms of safety and efficacy, and are hugely successful at keeping people out of the hospital and alive. If you have already recovered from infection, vaccination is still recommended since it’s not clear if natural immunity offers as broad or robust protection as the vaccines do.

And if you aren’t vaccinated for any reason, you should still be keeping a safe and responsible physical distance from others, keep up the hand washing and cough hygiene, and avoid gathering with others indoors whenever possible.