Here’s info on Delta.
Looks like fewer than 10 people are flying per flight.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.for...ASA%253D#ampf=
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Here’s info on Delta.
Looks like fewer than 10 people are flying per flight.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.for...ASA%253D#ampf=
Sorry, Lifey, but you're badly misstating GLC's position, and I think you know it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lifemagician
He was referring to things not being that bad in terms of traveler services - something it would appear you even understood as you've since edited your initial post to adjust your original statement on the matter. At no point was he saying that COVID-19 isn't something to take seriously.
Obviously, travel of any kind is strongly discouraged now. I would certainly advice the OP to continue to stay in AZ for the time being, especially because of the extra risks that come with being over 80+ years old.
I would also avoid moving back to anywhere in the Detroit Metro area, because of the severity of the outbreak there which is putting a severe strain on medical services there. However saying all of Michigan is a problem is a gross overstatement. Outside of Greater Detroit, the problem is on par with the rest of the country.
Ultimately, if it's determined that a trip absolutely must be taken, then all of the essentials are still there. Fuel is still available everywhere. food is available via drive through and curbside pickup (While grocery stores are open, I would discourage using them on the road due to increased interaction and risk of contamination). Motels are still allowed to be open, although it will require extra planning as some have closed. Of course, extra steps also need to be taken with things like gloves and masks, knowing that those things my reduce the risk, it certainly doesn't eliminate the dangers and potential of obtaining and/or spreading the virus.
My two questions are, where in MI are you going, but also, were you in Tempe as a snowbird or as an out-and-out vacationer?
If you're a snowbird, chances are you can stay right where you're at, unless you're renting a place and they've already got somebody moving in behind you. I know the heat in Tempe can be obnoxious, beginning any time this month, but perhaps the heat would be an easier thing to tolerate than you think.
Others have asked where you're going in MI. My husband and I both agree that you're better off on interstates, since those motels are not as likely to be closed as those in small towns that do not see a lot of visitors in April. There will also be a better selection of places to "grab and go" a meal, or (if in a motel at night) to deliver something straight to your room.
No matter whether you take the interstates or the slower US and state highways, you'll want to choose how far to drive each day, where to stop, and perhaps get your overnight accommodations reserved before you leave. On every hotel reservation form I've ever filled out, there is a place for special requests. That's where you can make a comment that you'd like a room on the first floor, or one that hasn't been used in a few days, etc. You can also find out what's around the hotel you're looking at -- go to Google Maps, enter the address of the hotel in the bar, and it will show you all the businesses in the area, including gas stations, fast food and restaurants.
If you decide to drive, take along a bottle of hand sanitizer and a thing of Clorox or Lysol wipes, gloves and some sort of mask. When one of you fills the car with gas, either use the gloves or IMMEDIATELY use hand sanitizer. For restroom facilities, you're almost better off trying to use truck stops/travel centers when possible -- even before COVID-19, I found them to be fairly clean, a lot cleaner than rest areas! Wash your hands a lot and try to stay away from other people as much as possible -- staying in smaller towns will make that easier.
Donna
To add to what Donna has said, to keep it in perspective:
Here in Joplin MO, a small city with a population of 50k on I-44 only one hotel has closed, and it's no great loss, it was an el cheapo dump that's been on the market for several months and half its rooms were condemned anyway. Some of the hotels have closed off floors because business is way down, but they are still open. Most of the restaurants in the hotel district, which is right off Exit 8, are open for curbside pickup, just phone in your order or order it online and go pick it up. Fast food drive throughs are open, and some even let you walk inside to order and pick up. However, most are closing right after dinnertime, getting something to eat late at night is difficult, the best bet is gas station convenience stores. As of today, we have only had 5 reported cases of the virus in the city and no deaths.
If you absolutely must make this trip, this is what you will probably find across the country except in large metros and virus hot spots if you stick to the Interstates, which I recommend.
Again, only do this if you absolutely must. To condense this down, you have 3 choices the way I see it, from most to least desirable:
1. Stay put in Tempe.
2. Fly home.
3. Do the drive, using Interstates, be off the road no later than 6 pm, do not stop in large metros or any hot spots. Bring non-perishable food, only get a to-go restaurant meal in the evening after you are off the road and in a hotel. Gloves, masks, wipes, and hand sanitizer are mandatory in my opinion.
I totally agree about the gloves, masks, wipes, and sanitizer. If you must travel, be sure to have those things ready at hand, but depending on how soon this trip has to commence, there may be a problem with availability of those items. I live in Phoenix full time. I know the city well, and I know where to shop, but honestly, we haven't had a bit of luck locating any of that sort of thing since all of this started. People are still snapping up certain items faster than the stores can re-stock. That probably won't change any time soon.
If you're in a rental property, you might ask the management company (if there is one), since they would probably have access to some things (like hand sanitizer) through their commercial suppliers. (And if not, they may have other suggestions).
My opinion? You really should postpone the trip until things settle down a bit. Whether you go or stay, I wish you the very best of luck. You've got a lot of spunk, to even be contemplating a cross country trip right now.
Rick
Just a thought (for anyone) on the hand sanitizer issue.
If there are any places near you that normally work with alcohol (like making drinks of whatever type), check with them. At least in this area, many have gone from making drinkable alcohol items to making hand sanitizer. It may be different than you are used to (often more liquid as they don't add the stuff that commercial companies do to make it a gel) and possibly more expensive (remember they are used to pricing for liquor) but it does seem to be more out there than the usual options that aren't right now.
This may also be possible with other items, look for the "odd" options. When the issues of toilet paper first hit, someone reported finding it in a marine store - after all, larger boats have on board restrooms, so they'd need it too - but a place most of us wouldn't even think about.
I am not a medical doctor, but a few things to research on your own and keep in mind about the coronavirus and viruses in general:
Viruses are not 'alive' in the usual sense of the word. they do not ingest (breath, drink or eat), they do not reproduce (on their own), and they do not excrete. They only replicate by getting inside a living cell and causing that cell to duplicate them.
They are a strand of DNA/RNA that, when not inside a cell, folds in upon itself leaving an outer coating of lipids (fat) that increase the chances that a cell will ingest and reproduce them.
Lipids are broken down (denatured) by simple soap. Thus the repeated recommendations of the CDC and other health officials to wash frequently with warm soapy water for 20 seconds at a time. Soap is at least as effective as alcohol on viruses and is much cheaper and readily available.
AZBuck
Earlier in this thread, it was mentioned that maybe car rentals are not available.
I just received an email from Enterprise. They are open to serve whomever still needs a rental. I would guess that would mean National is also still open, since they are under the same corporate umbrella.
Donna
All the majors are renting cars, both local and one way. Some are even loosening up on restrictions such as age and cancellation policies but also have closed a lot of neighborhood locations. You may have to go to the airport to get one.
Yes - I know someone who had a rental from them last month (due to a prior accident) and at one point it was looking like even though he had gotten it locally, he might have to drive an hour (and two counties, across a major river) away to return it (which would then mean a long trip back with the Enterprise person driving, as they drop you off).
Haven't heard from him since, so I don't know if they eventually made a closer option available (maybe having a rep drive the long distance to the closer office which would limit the time they needed to ride together to get him back home)?