Q&A WITH YASSER OGANDO, PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
In our September issue, we discussed workplace wellness and what we believe this concept should look like, and how often it varies between employees and employers. Yasser asked the question: What does workplace wellness mean to you? Some readers wrote in with thoughts:

For me, workplace wellness starts at the top. You can’t have a healthy workplace environment if those in charge do not provide the foundation for one.

SANDRA WILLIS, VIA EMAIL

Workplace wellness looks a little different these days since my company went fully remote. Our office used to provide a fully stocked kitchen, quarterly group events, relaxed daily schedules, casual dress code, unlimited sick days and vacation days, and more — all of which I believe to be a form of wellness. The mutual respect and freedom our employers supplied were definitely a perk of the job. Now, working fully remote, we have to create our own work/wellness balance. I stick to my own daily routine, take myself for walks in the afternoon and am strict about my phone use after hours, just to stay on top of my own mental health.

CHRIS FELDMAN, VIA EMAIL

Workplace wellness is important to me. As a nurse practitioner and after working for years on a busy hospital floor, getting burned out and overworked is inevitable.

REBECCA THOMAS, VIA EMAIL

COVID-19 TESTING FOR TRAVEL

In our Sept. 23 issue of eFlyer USA, we covered Alitalia’s COVID-free domestic flight trial. Travelers must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test. As a result, Alitalia can brand them COVID-free flights. We asked the questions: Would you travel more if more airlines implemented a similar system? If everyone on board presented a negative COVID-19 test before boarding, would you feel safe flying without a mask? This inspired a few readers to write in:

I am writing in regard to your post today about Alitalia’s COVID testing for some flights. I think rapid COVID testing would be reassuring to travelers, especially for longer flights and international flights. Whether testing would make me comfortable to dispense with mask wearing would depend on the reliability of the test. There can be false negative tests, with the rate dependent on the testing platform. Right now, there seems to be no uniform enforcement among airlines regarding mask wearing. At present, I am flying only when necessary for business and on airlines that enforce the mask policy.

DEBRA A. MARSHALL, M.D., F.A.C.C., VIA EMAIL

I will be wearing a mask on flights and in airports for a while, even if everyone on board tested negative. I’m used to the mask at this point, and I would feel a little more at ease knowing I did all I could to protect myself, and others, while traveling.

AMANDA REDDING, VIA EMAIL

I’m happy to see airlines are encouraging rigorous testing on board, especially hard-hit regions like Italy. We have to do better to protect each other and stay safe while traveling. The industry needs it to recover, and we need it to get back to business. This is great to see, and I hope to see more airlines, domestic included, doing all they can to create a COVID-19-free travel space.

ROBERT CHALLIS, VIA EMAIL

BACK TO BERLIN

In our Sept. 30 issue of eFlyer USA, we covered the long-awaited opening of Germany’s third- largest airport, Berlin Brandenburg, finally occurring Oct. 31, with Tegel TXL closing Nov. 8. Schönefeld will eventually become BER’s Terminal 5. This news inspired a couple of readers to write in:

This has been a long time coming! Glad to see it.

WESTON BRYANT, VIA EMAIL

Very encouraging seeing some openings in the travel world — looking forward to seeing the airport when my company resumes international travel.

CRAIG R. TIMMONS, VIA EMAIL

Q&A WITH KATIE SKRZEK, VICE PRESIDENT/DIGITAL DIRECTOR

I’ve always been interested in travel within North America, particularly the United States. There is so much to see in our diverse country! I hope to visit all 50 U.S. states someday.

Do you have a North American or U.S. travel goal?

Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com