08.03.20

I just returned from my first travels since the COVID-19 really hit us all so hard. Our last flight was on March 21 from Columbus, OH to Cancun, when we were the ONLY passengers on the flight. That was all shared in blog #82. This trip was not nearly so pleasurable since we had no concierge catering to our needs or offering champagne (!) and on this trip business was NOT as usual.

What was different?:

• Health questionnaires departing and arriving: Leaving Mexico was fairly easy. At the airport they ask you to download an app or fill out a hard copy form which verifies that you:
• 1. don’t have a fever,
  2. aren’t coughing or
  3. haven’t been around anyone who is sick.

I think the problem with all these scenarios is that they are self-policed and the answers can be lies. In the US as a country, NO quarantine is required, though certain states may be different, and the advantage of Mexican travel is that no quarantine is required here. Yet.

 

 

 

 

1. Masks- always: Delta Airlines is very adamant on masks and they will not allow boarding without one and the mask must be kept on. There have been instances where someone IN FLIGHT decided to remove them and the flight was returned to off plane the idiot- who may now be banned from flying for life.
2. Food in bags, sanitary wipers supplied on entry: As we entered the plane the flight attendants gave us wipes, I guess to wipe down the arm rest and sitting area. They make it very known that the plane has just been sanitized and purified and whatever else they can do to keep it “safe.” They also keep the plane AND the terminal chillier than before, probably to what, keep the virus at bay? I don’t know.
3. Temperature sensors on departure and arriving: Walking through security on departure and on arrival I passed through temperature sensors. They are non-intrusive and I guess the heat signatures from a person with a fever is noticeable enough that they make sense. Effective? Not sure.
4. The hotel in Park City (UT) required masks, as did the county. The business event was attended by about 100 people and meetings were small, held one on one behind closed doors. USUALLY the masks came off behind the doors, but had to be worn in the halls. Getting food was a trip since the normal buffet was NOT normal since we had to stand about four feet away from the table and tell them exactly how much salad, how much dressing, etc… to put on the plate. What a nuisance! Masks were “required” until we were seated, but if we got up, they should come back on, but it was not enforced or honored.

As inconvenient as all this is, there are some upsides:

1) Getting through the loading gate is a snap and there is minimal pushing and shoving, plus a decent size crew. The jetway is quite empty and the crowding for now, is history.

2) Delta keeps the center seat empty and flies at I think 80% load, so there is NO problem with overhead space. No more (for now) checking luggage from inside the plane.

Recently one of my “Facebook memories” came up from July, 2016. It was from the day I landed in Amsterdam and began my 19 day trip through six countries and many cities. Since then I visited Iceland, Barcelona (three times) and left the US on a worldwide journey through 23 countries and 400 cities in 14 months.

And now this…

Travel is halted, business is stifled, and companies are closing, which is very sad. It is also sad to think about the long term effects on children.

We as adults understand the whole mask thing and social distancing and know (hope?) this will pass. But what about impressionable kids under the age of six or so? Masks, no playing with friends, staying away from strangers? That seems like a lot of baggage to bear for a youngster.

It seems we are not out of the woods yet and the controversy over masks and vaccines and freedom of whatever, continues. Meanwhile Travel Younger will continue as we are able. First intended stop: hopefully Belize.

#covid19, #utah, #parkcity, #delta, #deltaairlines