So, my brother and friends went skiing in Italy last week - and now all have severe colds

[jpak]

Runny noses and sore throats.

They have a 4 hour bus ride to Germany tomorrow, to depart for the USA, and will be back (through Logan) Saturday night.

Should I be worried?

[dewsgirl]

2. Honestly, I think we all should be.

[irisblue]

3. Naah. They will have conversation with immigration tho

[hlthe2b]

4. Too little sleep from fun & partying, maybe some alcohol, jet lag and air travel?

I'd likely think it rare not to have some respiratory bug after that. It always has been for me and my friends, at least.

I know you are likely thinking about Coronavirus, just because that's all anyone is talking about. No, I don't think you have to worry AT ALL unless the unlikely possibility that someone among them had flown in directly from China (or the Middle East in terms of MERS). They may have some explaining to do to fellow plane passengers though--who may well be confused themselves if they see them with sniffles/cough.

[jpak]

8. They are all respectable retirees in their 60's and 70's

and had 2 days in Milan before heading off to the slopes (local annual ski club trip).

I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't party enough to affect their limited ski days.

I forgot to mention in the OP some had fever as well.

I was hoping they would return healthy and not have to deal with any coronavirus quarantines, etc.

[hlthe2b]

10. They might be questioned, but not quarantined unless the flight was an extension of

a leg that had included febrile patients from suspect areas.

[jpak]

11. Thank you!

[malaise]

5. I actually caught my first cold in four years over the weekend

It was simple - the temperature dropped to 66 and I dressed as if it were still 80.
Didn't take any medication - just had menthol crystals in boiling water all over the place, had a lot of home made chicken and veg soup and ate more citrus than usual. I'm almost back to normal now

Your brother et al will be fine.

[USALiberal]

6. is this a serious post? nt

[jpak]

9. No - it's a series post

Series.

[Wounded Bear]

7. I assume they'll get screened at the airport coming in though....nt

[Captain Stern]

12. It depends.

It depends on what your/and your brother's and friend's expectations were, and how much you really would have liked to go on the ski trip.

If you don't like skiing, and your brother knows that, and your friends know that, then you shouldn't worry about being excluded. That means they know, and understand you.

However, if you do like skiing, and your brother still didn't ask if you wanted to go, and none of your friends asked you to go either...then, you should worry at least a little. Because that means that they didn't want you around.

As for the runny noses and sore throats they got,...meh..happens all the time. They're fine. They probably had a great trip.