Corona - COVID-19 - What's the situation over there?

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if you could give me an update on the current situation in the Western states we are visiting (Cali, Ar, NM, Nev, Texas). Any actions or precautions taken we might want to take into account for our trip?

We are leaving on April 1st, itinerary can be found here :-): https://www.roadtripamerica.com/foru...ng-girls/page5

The closing of Disney & other amusement parks might be a logic precaution and we would have to adapt (tickets booked though :-/). I already started to prepare the girls (and most imporatnly, the wife :-)) that this might be something. But if that's it, there is no reason to complain.

PS: Our first night after landing in LA is in Corona. How about that :D

Thanks!

The reality is that people anywhere in the US are being advised against attending large gatherings and are encouraged to keep "social distance."

Areas from Seattle to San Francisco are the hardest hit areas at the moment, with officials in both of those areas taking steps to formally ban large gatherings and cancelling events.

I'd also say that I'd expect things to get significantly worse in the next few weeks, rather than better. The US is way behind when it comes to testing, so we really don't know just how widespread the outbreak is in many areas, but I think it's pretty safe to assume the number of people currently infected is significantly higher than the reported cases. As such, the number of places that are forced implement similar restrictions will also increase as more cases are reported.

I'm not aware of any amusement parks that have closed at this time, but Disney and others have closed their parks in Asia. One would think a similar response could happen as the problem spreads in the US.

I would certainly have to consider the risks before visiting any amusement park at this time. Of course that's true with anything travel related. I'm getting ready to get a trip next week - I'm not particularly concerned with the area where I'll be traveling, and most of the things I plan to do will be outdoors or away from large groups, but simply going through airports and sitting on planes alone is a risk. I'm also reconsidering plans to attend sporting events that had been on my radar for early April.

As with anything, you'll have to consider the risks and make your decision based on imperfect information.

Please note. Everything below is my personal opinion based on observed facts. It is NOT the official position of RoadTrip America, for whom I do NOT speak on this matter.

The World Health Organization has declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is now officially a pandemic. The center for Disease Control and Prevention lists pandemic preparedness resources on its website. Otherwise, the United States has taken no direct action in response to this disease. All quarantines, containments, treatments, etc. have come from local rather than national authorities.

Personally, I have already canceled two trips slated for later this spring and summer, specifically because those trips involved airline travel and contact with modestly large numbers of people. I know one of our other major contributors has also canceled plans for travel this year. Both of us did so in spite of airlines not giving refunds, but simply offering to apply the price of canceled tickets to future travel if, and only if, that takes place within a year. But then we are in the 'high risk' group with a significantly higher than average chance of dying from the virus. Note that the 'average' chance of dying currently stands at about 3%. Also remember that while you may not be at high risk, those around you that you can infect may be. Finally, be aware that the incubation period for this disease can be as long as a month. That is, you can have the virus and be actively spreading it to those you come in contact with for a full month before you begin to feel any symptoms.

The United States has instituted no quarantines or travel restrictions, and the virus outbreak is still in its very early stages here. The growth of cases is still exponential. Nor does this country have the authoritarian government of China nor the political will of Italy to enforce the measures needed to contain the spread of this contagion.

As I noted, I will not be traveling this year and am already self-isolating at home, having canceled all outside activities. You will have to make your own decisions, as I have made mine.

AZBuck

Hello, and welcome back to the RTA Forum!

As fast as all this has been changing, I think it's safe to say that nobody here is in a position to offer any confident predictions about what you're likely to encounter in April. I'm in Arizona, where we currently have a total of perhaps 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19 that seem to be well contained. That said, in the absence of meaningful travel restrictions, it is a given that the numbers will go up, and from what we hear on the news, we should all be prepared for a fairly serious situation. You should NOT expect "Business as usual" at the amusement parks, or anywhere else; the city of San Francisco has just put a ban on all large gatherings, and many more jurisdictions are likely to follow their lead. I would advise you to monitor news reports very closely. Popular wisdom says things will likely get worse, before they get better.

Rick

Mark has started a thread on this:

https://www.roadtripamerica.com/foru...-found-helpful

Earlier this evening President Trump announced that "To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days." I see from a previous post of yours that you are Belgian and the itinerary you linked to shows you arriving in the US on or about April 1st, so it seems as though you will not be allowed to enter the US as planned. As I and the other responders to your inquiry have noted, this is a rapidly changing and rapidly deteriorating situation. I would get in touch with the nearest US embassy or consulate as soon as possible to confirm the status of the travel ban from Europe and with your airline immediately thereafter.

AZBuck

Yes, this is not business as usual any more. @DasDimi, I truly hope that you'll be able to reschedule your trip later in the year --

Our best to you and your family.

Mark

And just like that, Disney has closed their theme parks in the US.

Not surprising, as within the past 24 hours, basically all pro and college sports have suspended or cancelled their seasons. Broadway is also going dark for the next month. Really, anything where more than a couple hundred people will gather is probably (or should be) cancelled at this point.

Of course, there is also the Europe travel ban which may be making all of this irrelevant as well.

We received an email from Disney right after they shut down the CA and FL parks. Their target reopening date is April 1st, but of course that's a guess from anyone's standpoint. They also declared that anyone with a valid annual pass during the period of the shut-down, will have their AP extended by that amount of time from the date of expiration. Our pass expires around the 20th of July, and if they are closed 2-1/2 weeks, it means our new expiration date will be early in August. If they are closed longer, we will get more time.

In the meantime, all of us here in the US *do* have to do our part and stay home. It took me awhile to convince my husband; now the only place we go is to the store if we absolutely need something. I think we're done for awhile on that. Now I'd just like the rain to stop so that I can get outside without being dumped on.


Donna

Monday, March 16th six Bay area counties put a shelter in place order until April 7th. Today the California governor made it state wide. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/19/go...at-home-order/

I looked at your thread but couldn't see your itinerary. If any of your plans included a California state park campground, they are now closed until further notice. All California State park visitor centers and museums are now closed.

DH and I are cutting short a month long trip RV by a week because we no longer feel safe on the road. We've heard of private campgrounds closing too, but don't know if it's true.

We booked and had made full payment on an Alaska cruise in June but with Canada closing its ports to cruise ships until July 1st, our cruise will be cancelled, which is fine with us. We'll do it another year.

Best wishes,

Utahtea

As a book publisher (Imbrifex Books) we've cancelled all events through the end of June -- and perhaps beyond. These events have been in the planning stages for more than a year.

Now is a good time to do some reading of some great guidebooks!

The Local Angler, Fly Fishing Austin & Central Texas by Aaron Reed

RoadTrip America, Arizona & New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips by Rick Quinn

Base Camp Denver: 101 Hikes in Colorado's Front Range by Pete KJ

Base Camp Las Vegas: 101 Hikes in the Southwest by Deborah Wall

Roads From the Ashes -- the 20th Anniversary edition with photos by Megan Edwards

When all this is over, and people's lives return to some version of normal that doesn't involve mandatory staying at home, we're all going to need a vacation. A lot of folks (myself included) are going to be more wary than ever of the packed-tight crowds at airports and the hermetically sealed confines of passenger planes. I'm thinking that between the inevitable rise of aviophobia and the ongoing fall in the price of gasoline, Road Tripping is going to enjoy an unprecedented resurgence in popularity.

There might even be panic buying of guide books! Best grab your copy of Arizona and New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips before the last of them disappears off the shelf--just like all the 'bathroom tissue!' (I know what you're thinking--but no, don't even try it. The high quality paper is much too slick ;-)

Hang in there, everybody--and stay safe!

Rick