Future travel?

I am sure many of you are like me and thinking about traveling and I cannot help wondering what that will look like.

Once it is deemed safe(?) what will the world look like? Will resorts and restaurants be restricted to less than full capacity? Will beaches require social distancing? Will everybody be wearing masks?

Having been isolated for almost eight weeks now the desire to sit on a warm sunny beach gets stronger and stronger every day.

And even though it's true I feel like I will strangle the next person who says to me "We're all in this together!" That is if anybody gets within six feet of me.

It is a wild a$$ guess at this point. Kind of like travel after 9/11, it will change for sure and will probably continue to evolve as things are learned as to what works, what doesn't and advances in the medical field to deal with this.

I don't have any answers but I want to echo your comment about “we're in this together.” So tired of hearing that phrase, and I don't even agree with it. Given how people are affected based on economics, geography, etc., I think there are big differences in how people are experiencing the pandemic. As a retiree, I'm pretty lucky, because I can choose to isolate, although my age also makes getting the virus much riskier.

We took our young kids on flights in late October of 2001 when most people hadn't yet returned to travel after 9/11. It was an eerie experience, wondering if we were taking an unnecessary risk but we did have the feeling that we wanted to move ahead and still enjoy life. I will admit to feeling scared as we stood in the TSA line.

Yes, it’s a wild guess right now. Depending on at what point one returns to the island, it may look different. It will probably evolve over time. Perhaps masks in stores for awhile ? I can’t see why it would require masks on the beach, outside, or in a bar/ restaurant. Those businesses will not survive if masks were required in them. It would defeat the purpose to sit in a nice restaurant or hang out in a bar wearing a mask. Anyway, It will be interesting to see what SXM and other islands do. Their geography and location makes them unique. SXM has very few cases right now, and can probably rid itself of Coronavirus. When they open up to outsiders, though it will require management . “Safe “ will simply be a falsehood until ( or IF) there is a vaccine. The virus is going to present in the world. Antigua is talking about some kind of health “ passport” card that shows someone has the antibodies. That idea seems very limiting as most people haven’t been exposed yet. How many antibody- positive folks would they have to even fill up the planes. I expect higher airfares as there won’t be middle seat passengers. I’d expect more spacing of beach chairs ( maybe not a bad thing lol) and again higher rental prices. If businesses are forced to downscale in the name of safety, costs must go up for the remaining customers. I’m fine with that, and plan to return as soon as it’s allowed ( except peak hurricane season ) by the SXM government. Not sure what I’d do if they require antibody proof. I had a PCR Covid 19 test just this afternoon ( no symptoms, just wanted to help boost my County’s testing numbers so we can reopen) but haven’t gotten the antibody test yet. I did pass through JFK twice going to/ from SXM in February, so it’s possible I could have been exposed then. Lastly, I agree on the “ in this together” trope. It’s worn thin....

I absolutely agree the "we are all in this together" thing is so tiresome. On tonight's CBS news with Norah O"Donnell the first twenty five minutes were spent telling us about impending gloom and doom and how Dr. Fauci said reopening too soon spells unnecessary death and suffering but leaving out the key part where he said that's only if we skip over the checkpoints,then at the end of the broadcast batting her big blue eyes and wishing everyone a good night before optimistically reminding us "we are all in this together."
OMG, such ratings driven rubbish.

Hey! Don't be dissing my Norah! Just kidding. In her and all news people defense, it's damn tough to find anything positive.

There is too seldom coverage of the small victories, here or overseas.
I love Norah but it is so formulaic. It is as though from news casting school, the 101 class: scare, then placate.

Plenty of positives out there but negatively makes news.

Future travel may gain some benefits from this current pandemic. First, is that the airlines that survive this mess will hopefully stop adding rows of additional seats to planes that are already too full and provide minimal leg room. Second, restaurants that previously packed people in like sardines will likely space tables further apart and eliminate being right on top of the group eating next to you. Love the restaurant Le Piment, but one night when we were dining there this past March we were seated so close to another couple from Michigan that it looked like we were a party of four! Third, the pandemic may actually clean things up a bit on the beaches of the world with less trash and plastics washing up here and there, as well as possibly a small reduction in sea grasses and seaweed from phosphates from agriculture being pumped into the world's oceans and seas. These are probably long shots, but I wouldn't be surprised if some or all of these things resulted once this is over.

Hope there's a vaccine for COVID-19 before January. It may help get travel started again.

Definitely no "MAY", as far as helping get travel started. If and when there is a vaccine, that definitely will help people be able to travel with more peace of mind.

The “ May” would seem to be over whether there will be a vaccine or not. If there is, it could take a very long time if history is any indication.

We typically visit in late Nov. - early Dec., depending on finding a reasonable airfare. We mainly go for 3 reasons: the beach, the food & the people (my wife would also add handbags & jewelry). Several of our friends have already ruled out this year, but others haven't yet said so. That leaves the beaches & the restaurants. Right now the beaches are only open for strolling or swimming, but not sunbathing. And the restaurants are only available for pickup/delivery, but not dining. IF this changes & IF we feel safe on an airplane, we haven't ruled out a return. Right now, I'd rate this chance at less than 50-50.

If SXM has anything like the onerous restrictions they currently do for the beach, restaurants etc I doubt they would be accepting visitors at that time.

Most definitely vaccine(s) are coming, it's just a question of how soon. I keep holding out for December, but so much will depend on the production and distribution processes needed to get them to people. Billions of doses will be needed worldwide, and who pays for the vaccines will still have to be worked out. If it is handled with the same dysfunctional way COVID-19 testing has gone, it will likely push the vaccine timetable back into early 2021. What may be necessary for future travel could possibly be verification of SARS-Cov-2 vaccination before you can board a plane, a cruise ship, or land on an island like St. Martin. It don't think that idea is that far-fetched, and when I get my COVID-19 vaccine some day I will ask for proof of the vaccination.

This is part of an email from SBR. Letter also explained the distancing guidelines to be put in place at check in...

Thanks for that update boucharda. Very interesting. I wonder what the process for travel to SXM will involve ? Let’s say a vaccine is a year or even longer away. Far later than say, June anyway. What takes place stateside to board the plane? Temperature screenings ( not all that effective a measure) ? Proof of antibodies / health “ passport” ? I suppose I’d consider visiting with takeout restaurants only IF the beaches were full amenity. Lots to watch for going forward.

fingers crossed

An infectious disease specialist who is regularly interviewed on our local news suggests that, rather than temperature screenings, measuring blood oxygen levels might be a better test of "wellness".

Not sure about that. A low oxygen saturation rate (hypoxemia) would indicate lung disease and lung inflammation is already present. Someone with COPD, for example, might be fine but have a low blood oxygen level when measured with a pulse oximeter. Personally, temperature screenings would be a better measurement because one of the first signs of SARS-Cov-2 infections is a temperature of 100 degrees (38 celsius), though the latency period of this infection does not cause a temperature spike until a fews days have passed with someone who has the disease. Unfortunately, only a vaccine (or vaccines) will be the safe path to future travel.

https://samchui.com/

https://samchui.com/2020/05/09/whats-the-future-of-air-travel-like-post-covid-19-2/#.Xr3mrRZq1R4

If you like air travel, airlines and airliners, the Sam Chui may well become your idol or hero. I would love to be Sam Chui.

All of the airlines of the world invite Sam to come fly their airplanes ans ait in the suites and make a video. He recently was on one of the last KLM 747 flights that had both people and horses on board. He flies frieghters and takes you along.

He has millions of followers.

Anyway the long link is his take on what the future of air travel maybe from new seating arenageme ts like rear facing center seats with shields, disinfecting stations you stand in on arrival, etc.

Yes, there are better measures of wellness than a temperature scan , which is more akin to window dressing. It will be interesting to see what is required by various countries and how these checks will be implemented. A lot of questions remain about when and how to visit our favorite island again.

You beat me to that response. I agree...there are some travelers with baseline lung issues that would NEVER be allowed to fly if a pulse ox was used as a criteria\

I'm being greedy and self-centered but I hope when the vaccine is available they give it to "seniors" and those in the high risk group first. I'm tired of reminding my 84 year old hubby to wash hands, use Lysol wipe on handle to pump gas, don't touch face... and I'd like to see more than my neighbors at a distance of 6 feet.

" I'm tired of reminding my 84 year old hubby to wash hands, use Lysol wipe on handle to pump gas,"
With or without a vaccine that should be normal practice. I always used a glove to handle pumping gas long before this covid came around.

I would think that you are unusual in that respect, as frankly, it never even crossed my mind to use gloves when pumping gas. My only concern was the smell of gasoline on my hands or clothing..

For me it was also because of not getting the gas on my hands from pump or overspill. But now for covid reasons too.

Hubby tried the gloves and couldn't operate the pump. Besides, there were rubber but not throw-away and I didn't think they should be placed back into the car. There was a news report that a man had only been to the gas station then caught the virus. That's when we thought of all the things we hadn't thought of before. Now I use a Lysol wipe to open the mailbox and remove mail which I then place on doormat and spray both sides with Lysol let stay a couple of hours then open.

We have a bunch of plastic grocery bags in the car. When we pump gas, we wear one of those over the hand that operates the pump, then throw it in the trash can next to the pump when we're finished. I don't wipe of my mail or the mailbox, just wash my hands when I'm finished opening everything.

We use the gloves whenever we go out. But for pumping gas, and for your husband, we use the dogs pooping bags. They are so much easier to use at the pumps. Not very expensive. You can buy them anywhere, i.e. Home Goods, dog store or even on Amazon.

We do the same with grocery bags and mail.

As for stores, i take two runner gloves but try to glove only the right hand and touch everything with that. Trick is to put your wallet in a left hand, one hand accessible place.

Works pretty well.

As for gas some of the buttons and sequences are not covid friendly. For instance Sams Club gas has the card and the payment ut you have to pick up nozzle then select grade Button which you then have to jam hard with nozzle tip. Ive already see one Grade button with tape holding it together
.

Thanks GAKaye for the grocery bag advice---never thought of that and I have so many.

PelicanPirate, not sure about those gas buttons but hubby always has trouble. Using a .10 per gal. discount card with PIN # that has to be entered first then sliding in credit card before lifting pump handle. If you don't remove either card fast enough after putting it into a slot it doesn't take it and you have to start over.

I don't touch money if I can help it but other day I got a refund check from our auto insurance company who is giving a "10% discount during these tying times because you are not able to drive as much..." Went to a drive-thru window at bank (lobby not open) had to grab the cylinder send it up etc. and the teller sent back $19.88 with a note reading: " all monies have been sanitized."

Suddenly, I'm reminded of all the surfaces we touched in the past without thinking.

Also since walking/bike paths closed in our state I've taken to walking in a cemetery. Never see other walkers and the "others" don't mind if I'm wearing a mask or not. Plus is viewing some beautiful, artful, headstones.

I sure hope not .Cause if I have to do everything I am doing now ....Well it sure wouldn't feel like vacation ! LOL

RonDon--you still would have to touch the cylinder, unless you go to the line next to the building, but you could have just deposited the check, and then you wouldn't have had to touch the money. I actually try to go to the line next to the building, unless the line is really long.

Many of the banks here have the line next to the building as the ATM line so you have no choice as to using the cylinder. A lot of the configuration depends on when the back was constructed, weather/cover considerations for the ATM and those using it, etc.

I’m going to wait until I’m a 100% confident that I will not contract the virus before I travel anywhere. If that takes year(s) then I’m fine with that.

You might want to consider shopping for a different bank. With my credit union, I take a picture of both sides of a check with my phone and upload them to their website to make a deposit. We don't have to leave home at all.

Most banks have that option with an app. Deposit is instant.

I don't even have a cell phone!

Oh my.

Huh. Around here, the line next to the bank is NEVER the ATM. The ATM is usually either the outside line or in a totally different spot.

Not here, the bank in town that closed had the ATM next to the building so the employees did not have to go outside to service it. It used to be the 3rd line out but they moved it for the reasons I stated. The branch (5/3 Bank) I go to most of the time now, the ATM is next to the building as well and it is only about a 2-3 year old building so it was build with that intent. Not all banks use this setup but it is not unusual. I can think of another branch I went to a few weeks ago and the ATM was the line closest to the building.

All the banks we have ever used has had the ATM outside right next to the bank entry and not by a drive up window.

At my closest branch, the driveup ATM replaced the driveup window.

Done differently in different areas of the country.