I get it. The disruptions that the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought to our lives are both frustrating and even a little confusing. So why do we have to tank our economy and upend our entire lives for a virus that isn't all that destructive towards the young and healthy? Shouldn't we all just be "business as usual"?
Related - Our Responsibility: How We Are Changing Our Coverage of Deals Due to CoronavirusYesterday I saw an old acquaintance post on Facebook how this Coronavirus isn't a big deal and he wasn't changing his life. Then 75 (yes 75!) other people commented in support. To be fair 3 of those comments were in dissent, but 72 agreed! I get it that looking out for one's self is a trait we value in America, but taking care of each other is one too. If you're still traveling or out potentially spreading this virus please stop. You are not cute nor are you funny.
So who should you listen to when trying to determine the truth? Don't take your advice from a travel website on the internet (but please continue reading 🙂 ). Please don't! You might also want to consider avoiding advice from memes, conspiracy theory Twitter accounts or your Uncle Joe who says Coronavirus is just a cold. How about you dig deep and find some expert advice. Infectious disease specialists have been sounding alarms for awhile now. Listen to what they have to say. Here is a sample, but find your own answers too!
This is a travel blog so let's talk about how COVID-19 has affected my travels. It has been pretty terrible. For example my long awaited birthday trip to Disney's Aulani in Hawaii is of course cancelled. There will be no birthday photo with Mickey, no time hanging out by the pool and no beautiful Hawaiian sunsets. At least not for awhile.
Could I still go to Hawaii? Absolutely I could. The flights are not cancelled and the hotel is still open. The chances of us getting sick are probably fairly small too, but you see it is just plain wrong. When I cancelled the trip I was given a voucher to re-book it at any point this year. That means I can swim in the ocean, splash in the pool and take my photo with Mickey another time. So why would I put others at risk just to take the trip now when I can do it later?
My travel woes don't just stop at Hawaii. Shortly after returning from Hawaii we were supposed to go to Europe for Ellie's birthday (one week after mine) and a fun European road trip. That was followed by many other trips, with the ultimate goal of getting in as much travel before Ellie starts Kindergarten in August. Months of travel now canceled or on hold.
Just like many of you I don't know how long this disruption to my life will continue nor do I know how my travel plans will shake out in 2020. Maybe I'll be stuck home all year, but I am hoping that isn't the case. If we can get control of this thing then perhaps we can salvage this year for community gatherings, sports and other things that make life feel "normal". Oh yeah and travel. I'd love to salvage some of that travel.
Right now we have the ability to social distance and do our part without being completely locked down in our houses. If you decide to travel, to potentially expose others and more importantly to just be a jerk, then you risk forcing us all into a situation like we see in Italy. People on full lockdown. Cases spiking. Lots of people dying. We don't want that.
You've probably heard the term flatten the curve over the past few days. The idea is that by self isolating and following great sanitary practices we can slow COVID-19 down enough that our health care system can avoid becoming overrun. It is believed that many people in countries like Italy and China died simply because they couldn't get the treatment they needed.
But again I am not an expert, but I do seek out the words and advice from people who do know what they are talking about. They are saying to stay home. They are saying it isn't okay to travel. Who am I to say that a birthday date with Mickey along with my own self righteousness gives me a boarding pass to fun?
As we move into this next phase of Coronavirus in the United States we'll continue to be here covering the latest news in the travel industry. Players big and small are under intense pressure and I believe the travel industry will be changed forever because of the new realities of the world. Only time will tell.
In addition to covering the important virus related news, we'll do our best to continue to provide great miles/points content along with the best deals we come across. We know you'll be at home more and we are committed to providing great content so that you can hit the world full of inspiration when we can all travel again. And yeah all of those awesome deals that are sure to come, we're ready to share ALL of them! 🙂
We all had busy important lives before the virus and unfortunately much of that has to go on hold for now as we seek as a country to get this under control. I had months of travel that just blew up and I don't care. At this point we must work together to help slow the spread of this virus, to help protect the vulnerable and to help bring normalcy as soon as possible. At the very least, don't be a jerk.
Stay home, stay safe and get informed.
- Shawn Coomer
Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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