Absolutely. Airlines have been bleeding money. They cannot afford to have 1/3 of the plane empty at this point, if they can actually sell the seats.

It looks like they are taking advantage of SXM's new requirement that arrivals must have proof that they have been recently tested and found to be without the virus.

July 1st will be a great day for SXM. Open and strong for whatever life brings!

Or a turning point with tourist bringing covid to island. Time will tell. US tourist have no business going there now with the current infection rate.

There is no reason for a US citizen not to go if they know they're not infected. The island needs tourist dollars.

If only that was possible.

I believe it is. I'll be tested before I come. After I receive the negative results, I'll be just as cautious as I'm being now. I don't want to get sick just as much as you don't want me to bring the virus to the island.

The incubation period for Covid 19 is 7 to 14 days. What that means is that it could take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear. I believe that also means it could take a similar amount of time for you to test positive, from the date of exposure. The PCR test is better than nothing, but all it proves is that you are negative at that moment in time.. There are countless cases of people who test negative and then test positive a few days later.

Parts of the US are seeing much better statistics. Here in Rhode Island we have seen thousands of cases but the rate has dropped considerably. Our recent rate of positive test results has been nearing 1%. Hopefully going to Mary's Boon in mid-September.

I don't know all of the medical facts (even the doctors don't), but I do know that you don't have to exhibit symptoms to test positive. Regardless, I know that I'm doing everything that I can do to avoid getting sick, short of never leaving my house. If tourists don't return to the island, its economy will die a slow and painful death, and that's a fact.

That is a given--if tourists don't return to the island, a large percentage of island residents will not be able to feed themselves.

I am a surgeon so not infectious disease specialist.
Yes, a negative test indicates you very likely were negative on that day. (PCR is not 100% accurate).
So in addition to negative testing, you need to "follow the rules" (Isolation, mask, face shield, hand hygiene) PROPERLY, which means mask covers mouth AND nose, I personally will wear N95 mask in high risk areas(on the plane and other crowded areas). Also if feeling bad, self isolate (which may mean not taking flight you are suppose to take in a few hours).... Mentaly, this is hard to do.
This needs to be ongoing weeks before trip and continue on the trip.
Outside, away from others, remove mask. Luckily I will be on boat,

Doing everything right, and you still have a risk of virus. Not doing EVERYTHING as you will greatly increase your risk of infection (and thus increase risk of others.

Exactly!!

Yes indeed and not looking nor thinking in that direction . But thanks for your genuine feelings .

If only I could get a N95 mask!!!!! but until then it's throw-aways and cloth to protect others, not myself.

I didn't bother to look at it very hard, but I actually saw an N95 mask on the Staples website the other day. Have no idea whether you could actually get it from them or not. I'm not sure whether the CDC guidance has changed, but they were telling people specifically NOT to get N95 masks, and to save them for medical professionals.

I have some N95 masks and I can tell you they are not very comfortable to wear or try and breathe through.

What masks are?

I have two different cloth masks and some disposable ones, and other than the disposable ones I got that had straps around the HEAD, versus on the ears, they aren't uncomfortable.

I have quite a few cloth masks and find them uncomfortable to breathe through.

OK. I have not worn one for more than about an hour, because we basically never go anywhere, but I can certainly tolerate it for an hour.

we have several masks...one is a buff we bought for Africa to keep out dust on safari. One is from our insurance company. One is from Jamaica I special ordered to contribute to the Children's fund and one is a disposable mask. We rarely go out and use them...and the buff is by far the most comfortable. We ALWAYS use something. If I go to an establishment and the WORKERS do not have on a mask...I leave. It is the LEAST you can do.

It has nothing to do with rights...it has to do with respect. I can be inconvenienced to keep others safe. I hope you feel the same way.

We couldn't agree more.

Us as well. But the thought of a 4 hours flight wearing it I cannot imagine! Plus pinch nose part and they still fog up my glasses. Cloth are worse.

Yes everywhere says N95 for medical only not general use. SXMScubaman you say N95 not comfortable but i'd rather suffer protecting myself than suffer and not.

I agree that fogging up glasses is an issue. If I wear my contacts, no problem, but they say that having glasses on is actually some protection.

Wonder if there will be a Kiosk selling N-95 masks sitting out side all Airports ?

There probably will be selling masks but not N95's....

I just bought a packet of 50 count metal adhesive strips made to put on masks from Amazon. One day delivery with prime. Works great and kept glasses from fogging by easily molding to face.

I haven't had any problem at all with my glasses fogging while wearing a mask. As long as I make sure that the frame of the glasses is sitting on top of the mask, it's a non-issue.

Scubaman--huh. Interesting. I usually just wear my contacts though. Georgia--I think you must be the only person who HASN'T had that problem.

Carol. They really work great. Especially on those non medical cloth masks that don't come with a built in metal strip. Allows you to close that gap between mask and skin.

ok

No, I agree with Georgia. If your glasses rest on mask, there should be no fogging of glasses.

Doesn't work that way for me.

Eye doctor told me to coat glasses with anti-fog product. He also said that if a person doesn't emit high body heat glasses stay clear.

Guess I have a hot body. Lol

And I will add one better...try glasses, cloth masks and HOT FLASHES!! Foggy, steamy hot and sweaty...ugh, not fun.

High body heat here, too.
They fog no matter how hard I try to keep the glasses on top---but it does help.

We can get N95 at drugstores near us, but with the double straps going over your head, it is difficult to get them on and off
through your hair. Behind the ear, you can take them off for a breather, when you have the opportunity.

Our power company just sent us a box with a free bottle of hand sanitizer, 4 LED light bulbs and 2 N95 masks that have the elastic bands that wrap around the ear. Much more comfortable than my N95 masks that have those 2 elastic straps that go around your head. When i wear those I only use 1 strap. Though it was a nice thing to send out to all their customers.

I must say here in Connecticut we have done a very good job so far . The real test will be when we open up the bars and clubs . It seems everyone has been complying with the restrictions not happy but the things we must do to keep safe