From Scott Laird of Travel Pulse: “Sometimes I feel like my urge to keep traveling has a documentary quality. There’s something romantic about the correspondents who rushed into the fires to chronicle them, like Ernest Hemingway commandeering a military Jeep to be the first American civilian into Paris in 1944 to “liberate” the bar at The Ritz Hotel. In Mexico, among tourists from the north, it’s as though everyone is taking pains not to discuss the elephant in the room, and that’s the snapshot I’m after.”
I am home, both by choice, and not! I cancelled a trip to Buenos Aires in late February, even before the Covid epidemic. Some how, I knew before the clown in the White House. How does that happen? Gee whiz, Lois, if I knew to cancel, should not the “brighter” minds in Washington know better?? Then I was forced to cancel both Greece in April, and NYC in May.
In the past, a catastrophic event like 9-11 could be ignored. Soon after, Mr. Mike and I decided to take our golf trip to Spain and Portugal. We decided a terrorist in the Middle East would not dictate our lives.
This time, the situation is a little different. I am waiting for Jack Bauer (24) to save the day, or even Superman or Batman. Or hoping the prophy dose of losartan will get me through this.
In general, it is best to follow CDC, WHO, or STEP guidelines for foreign travel. Just the facts, not the politics!
Yes, I am one of those who are required to work. Do I want to work? Yes and No. I know it would be safer to stay home. On the other hand, I think the health care workplace needs me. I can opt out of working since I am over 65. But the job is easy and the pay is decent enough.
Would I serve on the Navy hospital ship right now? Most likely I would.
But would I travel right now? Even to a relatively safe place like Hawaii? Probably not. We have some relatives “stuck” in Cayman right now. They are fortunate to have plenty of food and wine. But health care?
Are they hoarding ventilators and masks in NYC? I strongly doubt it. Healthcare workers do not operate that way.
As soon as the borders open, I will be on one of the first flights out. Being tied to home has been both a blessing and a curse. I miss the sense of adventure I get from travel. But I enjoy our life here at home, as I have the best of both worlds.
On the subject of refunds for air and hotel, I have mixed results. It is even worse for reimbursement for concerts, theater and sporting events. Keep this in mind next time they ask for a donation. The Warriors and Yankees have not offered to refund my money. Saroyan Theater, and Broadway shows in NYC have offered NO guidance for refunds! I have not heard from the Giants yet. The airlines have been okay, not great. United is always a PIA. Foreign airlines are much better. Some hotels are keeping deposits.
So, 139,000 cases here, 2400 deaths, and growing. Over 900 police officers in NYC has corona. Numbers to be respected. But from my public health background, these numbers certainly could have been much, much smaller. 
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