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Coronavirus affecting April/May Decisions

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Posted 3/10/2020 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
I've been getting emails and social media contacts all day from various groups I attend (poetry readings, church groups, etc) canceling events this month. At least in my world voluntary measures are in full force.
Posted 3/10/2020 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
So far, here in Montana, everything is business as usual. I am taking classes at the local university and we went back from spring break today and things seemed normal. The only talk about it is that the faculty were asked to come up with a plan on how to conduct classes in the school gets shut down. We already have an online learning system in place that we use even for face-to-face classes so we'd probably switch to that.

The only thing I am keeping an eye on is the study abroad I am signed up for: 2 weeks in Sydney, Australia in the middle of May to attend the Sydney Biennale, a big art thing. If that was canceled or the school shut the trip down I am not sure what I can do since we all had to book our own transportation and I bought a non-refundable ticket back in December. If it doesn't look worse than it is right now, I'd probably just go anyway. I'd risk not being able to come back but that might not be a bad thing either.
Posted 3/10/2020 5:07 AM (GMT 0)

81GyGuy said...
One wonders if the (presumably) temporary measures now or soon to be in effect to control the cvirus may become permanent parts of our daily life.

So after the cvirus threat diminishes, hopefully as soon as possible, will we still keep the hand sanitizers available in public places, have security guards in those places ask sneezing, sniffling people to leave the area, etc? Even though no pandemic is thought to exist?

It's arguably a good policy to do so, some would say. Or would that be viewed as encroaching on personal freedom too much?

The next time you utilize the Costco Men's Room ( in view of the CDC hand washing recommendations in place long before the COVID-19 pandemic) observe who washes his hands – and for how long, and whether they use the soap dispenser-- and who does not. Some men skip the sink entirely. Some permit a squirt or two to moisten their hands, followed by a swift shake and a walk past the paper towels or air dryer. Some may view the COVID-19 hygiene recommendations as an encroachment on their freedom; others have no clue about the germ theory of disease transmission; others think the whole thing about COVID-19 is fake news.
Posted 3/10/2020 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
Most travel insurance now excludes coverage for coronavirus. That's my main fear. When I took it out it was included, but now they say no. Something for folks to think about before taking holidays (in another country). I'll have to weigh up the risk of getting sick before I go - hospital bill overseas with no coverage would bankrupt me.
Posted 3/10/2020 7:45 AM (GMT 0)

VinceInMT said...
So far, here in Montana, everything is business as usual. I am taking classes at the local university and we went back from spring break today and things seemed normal. The only talk about it is that the faculty were asked to come up with a plan on how to conduct classes in the school gets shut down. We already have an online learning system in place that we use even for face-to-face classes so we'd probably switch to that.

The only thing I am keeping an eye on is the study abroad I am signed up for: 2 weeks in Sydney, Australia in the middle of May to attend the Sydney Biennale, a big art thing. If that was canceled or the school shut the trip down I am not sure what I can do since we all had to book our own transportation and I bought a non-refundable ticket back in December. If it doesn't look worse than it is right now, I'd probably just go anyway. I'd risk not being able to come back but that might not be a bad thing either.

i'll be in Jackson and west Yellowstone in September. be curious to see if there are a zillion Chinese tourists like in past years.
Posted 3/10/2020 7:46 AM (GMT 0)

jasperx10 said...
Most travel insurance now excludes coverage for coronavirus. That's my main fear. When I took it out it was included, but now they say no. Something for folks to think about before taking holidays (in another country). I'll have to weigh up the risk of getting sick before I go - hospital bill overseas with no coverage would bankrupt me.


just make sure your vacation is less than 14 days smile
Posted 3/10/2020 7:48 AM (GMT 0)

Tim G said...

81GyGuy said...
One wonders if the (presumably) temporary measures now or soon to be in effect to control the cvirus may become permanent parts of our daily life.

So after the cvirus threat diminishes, hopefully as soon as possible, will we still keep the hand sanitizers available in public places, have security guards in those places ask sneezing, sniffling people to leave the area, etc? Even though no pandemic is thought to exist?

It's arguably a good policy to do so, some would say. Or would that be viewed as encroaching on personal freedom too much?

The next time you utilize the Costco Men's Room ( in view of the CDC hand washing recommendations in place long before the COVID-19 pandemic) observe who washes his hands – and for how long, and whether they use the soap dispenser-- and who does not. Some men skip the sink entirely. Some permit a squirt or two to moisten their hands, followed by a swift shake and a walk past the paper towels or air dryer. Some may view the COVID-19 hygiene recommendations as an encroachment on their freedom; others have no clue about the germ theory of disease transmission; others think the whole thing about COVID-19 is fake news.

^^^^^^^^^^

and keep an eye on the stalls and see how many guys flush after dropping one smile
Posted 3/10/2020 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
The standard travel policies do not provide coverage due to epidemics or pandemics. The more comprehensive plans might, but are several times more expensive and few people buy them. None of the plans purchased after this virus started will provide any coverage if you are traveling to an affected area.

As for evacuation and quarantine, you have to actually have the virus to have any coverage. Generally if you are quarantined or evacuated and do not have the virus, you pay the costs. When several charters evacuated Americans coming from China last month, the non-governmental people were charged about $2,000 each. One couple that were quarantined and Hospitalized in Japan from the cruise ship estimated their direct cost would be about $50,000.

If you get sick and hospitalized overseas, then you may have to rely on your individual or group insurance. Medicare does not provide comprehensive coverage in foreign countries and has significant limitations. Though some Medicare supplement plans may provide very limited coverage. I just looked at a Blue Cross travel medical plan for foreign travel and the cost was quoted at about $200 per week and requires that you have underlying medical insurance. I did not look at the exclusions or restrictions.

International pleasure travel right now is a fool’s folly given the circumstances and risks. Domestic travel to the hotspots of California, New York and Washington should also be avoided. Even the large companies have basically shut down business travel, foreign and domestic for their employees.
Posted 3/10/2020 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Gratefully, the local trails are still open and I expect the mountains in upstate NY will be as well when we go there to hike in a couple of months. My PTSD has kept me away from crowds for many years now. smile

Approximately 26% of US drivers on the road at any given time are incompetent to drive. Not distracted, drunk or stoned, but incompetent. Got that off the NPR wire service, reiterated in some science mags. I suspect those are the same folks who don't think the corona virus is anything to worry about.
Posted 3/10/2020 12:36 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
I've been getting emails and social media contacts all day from various groups I attend (poetry readings, church groups, etc) canceling events this month. At least in my world voluntary measures are in full force.

Hope you told them they're all going to die.
Posted 3/10/2020 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
The probability of death has always been 100%. Covid-19 has not changed that fact.
Posted 3/10/2020 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
JNF what a brilliant observation, here I thought we'd all live forever. Any other gems?

For those traveling to Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has been canceled.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ireland-cancels-st-patrick-s-day-festivities-over-coronavirus-concerns-n1153591
Posted 3/10/2020 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Buddy Blank. Good luck guys.
Posted 3/10/2020 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Years ago I worked at a fairly well regarded hospital that had a children's unit.
Their director of the children's unit was also the VP of the whole organization.
I worked on the same floor as he did.
He did NOT wash his hands after using the restroom. Oh yeah, he was an MD.
NOTE: I worked in that building for 14 years, I used the same restroom on multiple occasions, he never washed.
Posted 3/10/2020 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
We need to brace for a three-month problem, says John Hopkins physician and professor. "We need to tell people right now to stop all non-essential travel." https://twitter.com/squawkcnbc/status/1237331893718319104
Posted 3/10/2020 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm surprised that what seems to be getting lost in some of these discussions is that it's not so much CV death that is worrisome, it's preventing a major breakdown in the systems that supply us with food, medications, and healthcare.

It's encouraging that Congress seems to be looking for ways to help working people without sick leave to stay home when they ought to. It's discouraging to see that some people feel exempt from doing their part, such as the CV positive father who was directed to stay home, yet decided it was okay to attend a school dance with his daughter. Unbelievable. But maybe not so unbelievable given the stupidity and arrogance of some folks.
Posted 3/10/2020 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I also see a lot of arrogance, and stupidity, from Americans, regarding this virus. It's as if they think they're exempt, and can spread it to the rest of us with impunity.

Three kids in my hometown decided to go to spring break, they're now quarantined.
Posted 3/10/2020 6:14 PM (GMT 0)

JNF said...
The probability of death has always been 100%. Covid-19 has not changed that fact.


Duh....thanks for reminding us of the obvious. In the meantime, we've got corona virus to deal with.
Posted 3/10/2020 8:45 PM (GMT 0)

Tim G said...
Duh....thanks for reminding us of the obvious. In the meantime, we've got corona virus to deal with.

Indeed. Imagine if when we had been diagnosed with cancer someone came here and repeatedly said "we're all going to die" or "the probability of death has always been 100%" - they'd have been banned for trolling.
Posted 3/10/2020 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
i just cancelled a cruise that was scheduled for April 2 and going to Cozumel. It is not a fear of the virus catching me. My concern is someone getting on the ship that has the virus,but is not showing symptoms. If they start showing symptoms during the cruise and it gets quarantined for 14 days once getting back on land is not a good thought for me. I would have to burn two years of vacation time to make up for that.

As an alternative, I am going camping in near the beach in MS. Me and a tent in a fairly empty campground should be ok.
ps: i just had my 6 month blood letting yesterday. Still waiting for the results.

Larry
Posted 3/10/2020 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Or March plans. My wife and I went to Spain in mid February, planning three weeks walkabout on the mainland, then three in the Canary Islands. With reluctance, we decided we could not chance staying in Europe, not just because of the virus risk, but also the possibility of being locked into a long term quarantine, even if we were not ill. So cancelled the Canaries, flew home yesterday. Both Madrid and JFK airports eerily quiet. We both feel well, but will “self quarantine” for a week or so — just in case. Proof that God loves us is that we have Netflix for such situations. Stay well!
Posted 3/10/2020 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Self-quarantine should be a minimum of 14 days. I believe - but don't quote me on this - China does it for 28 days (and they have had the most success in combating this new scourge).
Posted 3/11/2020 7:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Bohemond -. We attend Merlefest also, driving our motorhome from New Hampshire. Love it for all the reasons you cite - plus Kruger Brothers, Hillside Album Hour, Sam Bush, Dance Tent...

Like you, unlikely we make it this year.

If we each go next year could we try to cross paths there?

Wilderness
Posted 3/11/2020 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
NewspaperLover - Welcome back! I think, with no known exposure the self quarantine is a commendable gesture--something many other travelers with no known exposure probably aren't doing.

Wilderness
I'm a huge fan of Sam Bush - he's there every year - Mr. extrovert, sitting in with lot's of other groups and nearly always on stage with the Waybacks for the Album Hour. He is also a fellow cancer survivor. I was really looking forward to Willey Nelson this year, I've never seen him live. Also of course, John Prine, Mavis Staples, Kruger Brothers, Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, etc. - but at least I've seen each of them before. Over the years the festival has been beyond special - we've lucky to see legends who are now gone - Vassar Clements, Merle Haggard, and of course many years of seeing Doc Watson. And we always come back having discovered somebody new, or new to us, -- e.g., the Steel Wheels.

Let's coordinate a meet-up next year. We're always camped at the VFW but are on the festival grounds usually during performance hours. We've taken the last few years to renting a parking space near the college so we can use our truck as a supply depot with rain gear if needed, and warm coats for chilly late nights. I'll send you a PM so we can coordinate next year -- assuming we humans haven't left the planet to the horseshoe crabs by then.
Jim
Posted 3/12/2020 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
This is on the Merlefest website this afternoon:

"In light of comments from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper this afternoon, we will be issuing an official statement concerning MerleFest 2020 by the close of business on Friday, March 13. Thank you for your patience and support."

I just googled Governor Cooper and see that he is recommending gatherings of 100 or more people be cancelled.

Looks to me like the decision is made. Maybe Merlefest is holding off an official announcement until tomorrow to plan for what's next - reschedule? refund ticket fees? apply fees to next year?
Jim
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