I moved to the US and then I got Covid-19 and no one tells you this

After moving to the US four years ago, Emma Markezic – like millions of others – caught Covid-19. No one told her this about the experience.

A lobster roll in one hand. A dirty martini in the other.

An elderly gentleman at the table next to me feeding his wife a taste of soup, the way someone does when they love their meal but adore their spouse even more. I don’t think I was happier in 2021 than in this moment. Ironically, this was also the outing on which I got Covid. Although that part didn’t become apparent for another five days.

This really is the perfect tiny metaphor for the US, though. Hedonism, romance, danger, potential medical bills. It has it all. But in a country where half the population are triple vaxxed and double masked, and the other half are espousing freedoms and waving flags, how feasible is it to travel to the land of gilded opportunity right now?

You can still travel … just remember to mask up.

First and definitely foremost, you need to be on top of the mandates in the state or city you’re visiting. For example, before Omicron decided to blow up like a poorly thought-out gender reveal device, I visited both Seattle and Miami. In Seattle, I was stopped at the door and made to present both my ID and vaccine card before being allowed anywhere near a table. In Miami, I didn’t see a waiter wearing a mask. Not a single one.

This place really is run like 50 small countries whose only common denominator is they have no idea what real cheese looks like. Don’t tell Wisconsin I said that.

My fiancé and I live in Chicago. Known for Al Capone. Deep dish pizza. For being nestled on the edge of a lake bigger than Denmark. Vaccine mandates apply if you want to dine in a restaurant, go to the opera, cheer on the Chicago Bulls or do anything fun indoors.

Emma Markezic moved to the USA four years ago.

This came into effect just days after I was attacked by the submicroscopic scourge as a proud three-time vaxxer because of course it did, but still – in effect it now is. The city’s main airport – O’Hare International – is one of the busiest in the world, but I’ve always felt safe there. Probably because you can guarantee everyone’s muzzled behind a KN95, regardless of political proclivity.

But what of the medical system? That’s the real pickle, right.

It’s not quite as scary as I grew up thinking it was. Even here – where prescription drug prices regularly tally more than twice the price of other countries – Covid testing and vaccines are free. Yes, even for the uninsured.

Although I’d definitely not set foot in the land of the free without insurance, however free you feel to forego it. I’d also lean towards a ‘local’ insurer. Which just means a company based in the US and is used to dealing with the American medical system directly, should the need arise. The sheer size of the population means things are actually run relatively efficiently on the virus front, though – drive-through vaccines, easy access to teledocs, pain and fever meds delivered to your door (along with a cheeseburger and bottle of vodka if you so desire) are all bizarrely plentiful.

Some things are much the same as at home: Hospitals are heaving, nurses and teachers are struggling, parents are beyond over it.

But also much the same as at home, domestic travel is having a moment. I’ve seen more of the US than I ever expected. Chicken Bristle, Illinois. Climax, Michigan. Sopchoppy, Florida. And let’s not forget Elephant Butte, New Mexico. Obviously all chosen for their absurdity.

So what’s different? More cases, no question. But also a population that likes showing off their country more than any other, which means you’ll be welcomed with open arms; as well as with a shot of Fireball and invitation to a tailgating party.

Other than the fact Aussies are blatantly wiping the floor with the Yanks in the vaccine uptake Olympics, this really isn’t a bad place to be. It might not have been the adventure we had planned when we moved to the Windy City, but you know what – I replaced my Chicago Cubs cap with a Chicago Cubs mask and got on with it.

And if you’re in the position to consider international travel, as long as you’re smart about it, you can too. Hawaii, after all, is almost always a good idea.