24/03/2016
Following yesterday's attacks on Brussels, the US State Department issued a travel alert for Americans regarding "potential risks of travel to and throughout Europe." Does this mean we should stay home?
In a word: No. This is a travel "alert," not a "warning." The State Department reserves "warnings" for serious business: It means, essentially, "Don't go there." But an "alert" just means "Be careful." According to the State Department, "We issue a Travel Alert for short-term events we think you should know about when planning travel to a country."
Isolated terrorist events — 2004 in Madrid, 2005 in London, 2012 in Boston, 2015 in Paris — are as tragic as they are impossible to predict. With this alert, the State Department is simply confirming something we already knew: Going forward, it's possible that there will be more terrorist events in Europe (just as it's possible here in the United States).
Also, at frightening moments like this one, keep in mind that there’s an important difference between fear and risk. As the State Department recommends, while you're traveling, be vigilant. Be aware. Exercise caution. But at the same time, don't be terrorized. That’s exactly the response the terrorists are hoping for.
Brussels — and the rest of Europe — are, if anything, safer today than before yesterday's attacks. Security everywhere will be on high alert. But, unfortunately, many Americans will cancel their trips to Europe. As a result, ironically, they’ll be staying home in a country that loses dozens of people each day to gun violence.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Brussels, the victims, and their loved ones. As for me, I'm flying to Lisbon in ten days. And later this summer, I'm booked to fly out of the same Brussels airport that today is a shrine of grief and tragic bloodshed. Am I allowing myself to be terrorized by the terrorists? Hell no. It all comes back to my firmly held belief that the best way for Americans to fight terrorism is to keep on traveling.
