This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/travel/coronavirus-snowbirds.html
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Snowbirds Ask: Should We Stay or Should We Go? | Snowbirds Ask: Should We Stay or Should We Go? |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Travel and travel planning are being disrupted by the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. For the latest updates, read The New York Times’s Covid-19 coverage here. | Travel and travel planning are being disrupted by the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. For the latest updates, read The New York Times’s Covid-19 coverage here. |
| Laurie and Rick Vant Hoff have spent the last six winters in a rented property in Cape San Blas, Fla. This year, the retired couple, who live in Wisconsin, intended to stay until the end of March — their longest stint as so-called snowbirds, Ms. Vant Hoff, 64, said. | Laurie and Rick Vant Hoff have spent the last six winters in a rented property in Cape San Blas, Fla. This year, the retired couple, who live in Wisconsin, intended to stay until the end of March — their longest stint as so-called snowbirds, Ms. Vant Hoff, 64, said. |
| At least that was the plan until several weeks ago, when the news of the coronavirus pandemic began spreading in the United States. First, friends who were supposed to join them called to cancel, then restaurants gradually switched to only offering takeout or deliveries, and finally, Cape San Blas closed its beaches. | At least that was the plan until several weeks ago, when the news of the coronavirus pandemic began spreading in the United States. First, friends who were supposed to join them called to cancel, then restaurants gradually switched to only offering takeout or deliveries, and finally, Cape San Blas closed its beaches. |
| “That’s when we really started thinking, boy, should we be staying?” said Ms. Vant Hoff, a retired accounting assistant. | “That’s when we really started thinking, boy, should we be staying?” said Ms. Vant Hoff, a retired accounting assistant. |
| Evaluate where you are and where you are headed. | Evaluate where you are and where you are headed. |
| Ask yourself: How prevalent are cases where you are? How prevalent are they at home? | Ask yourself: How prevalent are cases where you are? How prevalent are they at home? |
| Drive, don’t fly. | Drive, don’t fly. |
| Carefully choreographing your trip. | Carefully choreographing your trip. |
| Read more of our expert advice here. | Read more of our expert advice here. |
| Millions of Americans — mostly over the age of 60, many of them retired — take part in an annual migration from the cold North to the balmy South each winter. Now, many of them are faced with a travel dilemma amid the outbreak: Should they stay or should they go? Many miss their families and wish they could be closer to home in case of an emergency. Others worry about being far away from their health care providers. Some just had plans, and want to know if they should keep them. | Millions of Americans — mostly over the age of 60, many of them retired — take part in an annual migration from the cold North to the balmy South each winter. Now, many of them are faced with a travel dilemma amid the outbreak: Should they stay or should they go? Many miss their families and wish they could be closer to home in case of an emergency. Others worry about being far away from their health care providers. Some just had plans, and want to know if they should keep them. |
| “We don’t know what’s better,” Ms. Vant Hoff said. “Is it better for us to stay here for a whole month or is it better to go home?” | “We don’t know what’s better,” Ms. Vant Hoff said. “Is it better for us to stay here for a whole month or is it better to go home?” |
| Some people had no choice but to return. | Some people had no choice but to return. |
| Christine and Paul Lauster, a retired couple from Clyde, a small town in upstate New York, take their camping trailer on an annual winter trip, and were staying in a Florida state park when news of the virus began spreading. In late March, Florida announced it was closing its state parks to contain the spread of the coronavirus. | Christine and Paul Lauster, a retired couple from Clyde, a small town in upstate New York, take their camping trailer on an annual winter trip, and were staying in a Florida state park when news of the virus began spreading. In late March, Florida announced it was closing its state parks to contain the spread of the coronavirus. |
| With their reservations canceled, the trip had come to an end, said Ms. Lauster, 68, a retired school librarian. They watched as friends packed their belongings within hours and hit the road the following day. Then they started planning their own drive home. | With their reservations canceled, the trip had come to an end, said Ms. Lauster, 68, a retired school librarian. They watched as friends packed their belongings within hours and hit the road the following day. Then they started planning their own drive home. |
| It took them about three days to get to upstate New York. Hours into their drive, one of the camper’s wheels came off, which forced them to stop in Virginia for a “Band-Aid fix,” Ms. Lauster said. The following day, after driving for about 11 hours, they made it to Clyde a little after midnight. They plan to remain under self-quarantine for two weeks. | It took them about three days to get to upstate New York. Hours into their drive, one of the camper’s wheels came off, which forced them to stop in Virginia for a “Band-Aid fix,” Ms. Lauster said. The following day, after driving for about 11 hours, they made it to Clyde a little after midnight. They plan to remain under self-quarantine for two weeks. |
| “It was a relief to be home,” Ms. Lauster said. “There’s no longer the pressure of what happens if they close roads, if they close gas stations?” | “It was a relief to be home,” Ms. Lauster said. “There’s no longer the pressure of what happens if they close roads, if they close gas stations?” |
| In Texas, another popular state for snowbirds (though they are called winter Texans there), private campgrounds remain open and largely full, said Brian Schaeffer, the executive director and chief executive of the Texas Association of Campground Owners. His 400 members, made up of private campgrounds and R.V. parks, have only seen about a five percent decline in reservations and will continue to operate as essential businesses. The majority of the parks’ visitors usually stay for an entire season. | In Texas, another popular state for snowbirds (though they are called winter Texans there), private campgrounds remain open and largely full, said Brian Schaeffer, the executive director and chief executive of the Texas Association of Campground Owners. His 400 members, made up of private campgrounds and R.V. parks, have only seen about a five percent decline in reservations and will continue to operate as essential businesses. The majority of the parks’ visitors usually stay for an entire season. |
| Mr. Schaeffer said he thought it was better for visitors to shelter in place in South Texas. “Better to do that than risk traveling through multiple states to get back home. Once things settle down, then you can go back.” | Mr. Schaeffer said he thought it was better for visitors to shelter in place in South Texas. “Better to do that than risk traveling through multiple states to get back home. Once things settle down, then you can go back.” |
| As precautions, he said, many of the parks have closed common areas like recreation halls and pools to prevent guests from gathering. | As precautions, he said, many of the parks have closed common areas like recreation halls and pools to prevent guests from gathering. |
| Luanne Thielke, 77, a retired business owner, spends the winters in Palm Desert, Calif., with her husband and has an early April flight scheduled back to Oregon. | Luanne Thielke, 77, a retired business owner, spends the winters in Palm Desert, Calif., with her husband and has an early April flight scheduled back to Oregon. |
| Her husband, 78, has a follow-up doctor’s appointment he cannot miss, Ms. Thielke said, and both of them have underlying health conditions. | Her husband, 78, has a follow-up doctor’s appointment he cannot miss, Ms. Thielke said, and both of them have underlying health conditions. |
| So far, they are sticking with their plan to ship their car and board the plane, she said. | So far, they are sticking with their plan to ship their car and board the plane, she said. |
| “We think it’s better to fly,” Ms. Thielke said. “We made the plans and it’s just in God’s hands.” | “We think it’s better to fly,” Ms. Thielke said. “We made the plans and it’s just in God’s hands.” |
| Adina Schorr, a retired interior designer who spends her winters in a gated community in Boca Raton, Fla., initially wanted to fly back to her apartment in New York City. | Adina Schorr, a retired interior designer who spends her winters in a gated community in Boca Raton, Fla., initially wanted to fly back to her apartment in New York City. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| “I wanted to be much closer to my children, even if I would be locked up in my apartment,” said Ms. Schorr, 81, whose husband died last year. | “I wanted to be much closer to my children, even if I would be locked up in my apartment,” said Ms. Schorr, 81, whose husband died last year. |
| But her three children convinced her that staying where she was, even by herself, was the safest option for her, Ms. Schorr said. | But her three children convinced her that staying where she was, even by herself, was the safest option for her, Ms. Schorr said. |
| To make her feel less alone, one of her three children, his wife and her grandchild temporarily moved to the same gated community where they are living with their in-laws. They still practice social distancing, Ms. Schorr said, but at least they can go out for a walk together or spend some time outside as a family. | To make her feel less alone, one of her three children, his wife and her grandchild temporarily moved to the same gated community where they are living with their in-laws. They still practice social distancing, Ms. Schorr said, but at least they can go out for a walk together or spend some time outside as a family. |
| “I’ll wait because there is no reason for me to rush back,” Ms. Schorr said. “It really doesn’t matter where you are because you cannot come close to each other.” | “I’ll wait because there is no reason for me to rush back,” Ms. Schorr said. “It really doesn’t matter where you are because you cannot come close to each other.” |
| Part of the debate about whether to stay or go involves the trip home, often a long drive, usually made over several days. Will hotels be open — and safe — or will domestic travel be restricted? | Part of the debate about whether to stay or go involves the trip home, often a long drive, usually made over several days. Will hotels be open — and safe — or will domestic travel be restricted? |
| The Abingdon Manor, a 10,000-square-foot boutique hotel in the town of Latta, S.C., regularly hosts snowbirds because of its convenient location — halfway between New York and Palm Beach, Fla., and just off Interstate 95. It has seen about an 85 percent decline in bookings in the past two weeks, said the hotel’s owner, Michael Griffey. | The Abingdon Manor, a 10,000-square-foot boutique hotel in the town of Latta, S.C., regularly hosts snowbirds because of its convenient location — halfway between New York and Palm Beach, Fla., and just off Interstate 95. It has seen about an 85 percent decline in bookings in the past two weeks, said the hotel’s owner, Michael Griffey. |
| As of Wednesday evening, the manor had none of its seven bedrooms booked, Mr. Griffey, 72, said. | As of Wednesday evening, the manor had none of its seven bedrooms booked, Mr. Griffey, 72, said. |
| “We had lots of cancellations,” Mr. Griffey said. “What we’re seeing now is people who are trying to get home. A lot of our regular guests are staying put in Florida.” | “We had lots of cancellations,” Mr. Griffey said. “What we’re seeing now is people who are trying to get home. A lot of our regular guests are staying put in Florida.” |
| Mr. Griffey added: “We are just sort of an emergency stop.” | Mr. Griffey added: “We are just sort of an emergency stop.” |
| In the end, the Vant Hoffs decided they would go home and are going to start their 18-hour drive home on Sunday, their regularly scheduled departure date. They chose to stay until the end of their booking to enjoy the pool, walks in the woods, birding and puzzles. | In the end, the Vant Hoffs decided they would go home and are going to start their 18-hour drive home on Sunday, their regularly scheduled departure date. They chose to stay until the end of their booking to enjoy the pool, walks in the woods, birding and puzzles. |
| “We just absolutely fell in love with the area, Mr. Vant Hoff said. “Very quiet and very laid back. There’s no better place I’d rather get stuck. ” | “We just absolutely fell in love with the area, Mr. Vant Hoff said. “Very quiet and very laid back. There’s no better place I’d rather get stuck. ” |
| Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. | Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. |