Probably a bad idea, but I booked a flight to Louisiana.

[frazzled]

9. Sometimes you have to take the risk

if the trip is important enough. And visiting an elderly parent is definitely important. You never know if it might be your last chance, and you'd regret not having gone.

We usually try to visit my mother (94) every 6-8 weeks (it's only a 3 1/2-hour drive), but we had not done so for five months since the pandemic. I could tell she was getting depressed, feeling she might not see us again. So we got in the car and made the trip. It was so well worth it. And then, to be cautious, we self-quarantined for 14 days. (She has caregivers in the house, and although they were masked, one never likes to take chances.)

I think you're doing the right thing: just stay as safe as possible.