Should I pick up my family returning from Thailand amid the coronavirus outbreak?

Simon Calder answers questions on the virus, plane safety during Storm Ciara and record-breaking flights

Passengers wear protective masks as they walk through Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok (EPA)

Q I am picking up two family members from Heathrow airport who are returning from Thailand. Should I have any concerns regarding the coronavirus? I have two eightysomething parents to consider at home too. Could I please ask what you would do? I have the option to ask them to take a taxi. But that would just seem unkind and perhaps unnecessary if I could bump into someone off a Bangkok flight in Tesco the next day.

Name supplied

A There is certainly a risk in the course of action you propose but perhaps not of the kind you envisage. Sadly, on the average day in the UK, five people die in road accidents, and a further 70 are seriously injured. Given that Heathrow has decent public transport to many destinations, I urge you to consider asking your family members to take a rail alternative to eliminate this risk.