Make Plans with a Backup Plan
Make some plans.*
Early summer, as we perused a full-ish fall calendar—a wedding here, a conference there and a few weekends away—things almost felt, dare we say, “normal.” But then the Delta-induced cancellations started rolling in, upending our big autumn energy. Suddenly, we found ourselves in a state of paralysis with all the pandemic “what ifs” shrinking our ambitions. That is, until we invented the “COVID caveat,” the little postscript asterisk we’re hanging off of every calendar entry. Sure, our Magic 8-Ball might be stuck on “Reply hazy, try again” right now, but we would like to remind you that ambiguity is a forever fact of adulthood and you can still smartly plan away—even if it’s in pencil.
Choose wisely.
All plans are not created equal; everyone knows that. So after a considerable amount of time spent thinking about what is truly essential to us, let’s not revert back in haste to RSVPing yes to just anything. Given the logistical complexities involved in even a simple night out, you want to make sure you’re giving priority status to the people you really treasure. For all other peripheral requests, a simple In a pandemic? retort should suffice (or see our very grown-up RSVP guide).
Focus on fine print.
Flights, hotels, concert tickets...you don’t want them to sell out, but you also don’t want to fluff the bundle on the off chance they never happen. So make sure you read the fine print, especially on things like travel insurance, which still may not insure against COVID cancellations. Most in the travel and hospitality industries have become more flexible, allowing you to apply your dollars to a later date. But think through whether or not that later date will move you, or if the moment will have passed.
Pick an expiration date.
While we have all learned to pivot more quickly, you and your fellow planners should choose a sell-by date for your itinerary—when to make the call on your plan’s viability, to ensure people can create contingencies. For each plan, it could help to add a list to the notes section of your calendar entry with any important cancellation deadlines front and center, along with your next moves in case of a raincheck.
Consider comfort (all around).
They say all politics are local, but so is COVID protocol. It’s important to keep in mind that things may be sunshine-y safe in your neck of the woods, and meanwhile, doom-and-gloom over yonder. Your plan may be good on paper, but remember that we all have different responses to perceived risk. If you were feeling some mild discomfort about moving forward, you would hope for some slack-cutting from others—so be generous in return when it comes to others' concerns. Discuss, sans judgment, what would make them more comfortable (if anything) and what they could say “yes” to instead.
