I'm flying to Europe in July, to Scandinavia in fact. I've got family up that way and am really looking forward to returning to see them and spend some time with people I don't get to see a great deal of.
Obviously the world is in the grip of a virus situation which has caused restrictions on localised freedom-of-movement in certain countries and travel restrictions between others. The situation is broad-reaching, certainly when one considers the loss of revenue with transport, tourisim and the assorted peripheral operators linked to the those industries experiencing severe downturns in business. A quick glance at global stock markets will clearly demonstrate the impact.
Contrary to my click-bait title Australia has, so far, not placed a do not travel restriction on Europe however I decided to investigate my options in the advent that they did so.
I booked my flights to Scandinavia, via Singapore airport, on the 7th of January, prior to the emergence of the virus situation; On the same day I secured travel insurance for the flight and trip in general.
I spoke to my insurer a couple days ago and they have advised that should the Australian Government, or government in the countries I am travelling to, restrict or ban flights I would be in a position to recoup my money through the insurer. Considering it is a sum of several thousand dollars that's heartwarming.
Naturally, if the airline cancelled they would refund my money, however if I choose to cancel? You guessed it; No refund, no insurance cover. I'd lose my money, in full.
I'm one of the lucky ones though; I booked prior to the outbreak, and have insurance.
One of the Directors at the company I work at has booked flights, (September 2019) to Spain and Italy for (July 2020) however has not arranged travel insurance. No matter what happens he will not recoup his funds. He either goes, or simply cancels and loses his (first-class tickets) and the significant amount of money they cost him. Many are in the same position.
With the world trying to combat or contain the virus situation it bears some contemplation from my part. Whilst I'm a healthy 50 year old dude overall, I also have type 2 diabetes; Well managed and under control, but still, I have a reduced-function immune system and so I'm more at risk.
I'm not too concerned to be honest as I'm really quite healthy and tough AF, but I'm concerned that I'll not get to see my family and that is a pain in the ass because I miss them.
Whatever happens will happen though and rather than panic we're going about our lives as usual, albeit with some increased awareness to the virus threat. I'm not one to buy-into panic and propaganda, however I'm also the sort who maintains a high level of preparedness, and so that's what I'm doing...My biggest issue is the threat to my vacation and the fact it may be vetoed. Still, it's in July, we might be all good by then huh?
I've seen plenty of posts about toilet paper flying off the shelves at the supermarket, but I'm interested to hear if peoples travel plans have been affected. Have you changed plans, decided not to travel or taken any precautions so far? How is the global pandemic affecting your movements?
Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
An original post written by a human
Discord: galenkp#9209 🇦🇺
We are wanting to to go Scotland but that wasn't going to happen until later this year or next year anyway so I hope things are better by then.
Starting tomorrow, there will be a 30 day ban on most travel to Europe from the US.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I heard about the US ban...I think it may happen here too eventually. Scotland would be cool though. I want to go too in the next few years. Spent 4 weeks in the UK in 2018, all below London, (except for 3 days in Oxford). Was amazing. So much history.
There was talk of the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne being cancelled because if the virus thing. Apparently Team McLaren have withdrawn after one of their blokes tested positive. There's only speculation at the moment but apparently it will go ahead, but with no spectators...Too bad for those 280,000 people who bought tickets. Still, I get it.
It's all up in the air at the moment with the
newspropaganda services reporting whatever they like in a bid for ratings. Let's see how it goes.Certainly a concerning time with the financial implications set to be very damaging.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Everyday I read about more gatherings (concerts, sporting events, conventions, etc) being cancelled (or sometimes postponed). I have tickets to a local concert in August and I am not sure how that will get affected. Perhaps not, but I am not going to be surprised if it does not happen.
While this is a quite virulent virus, part of what makes it seem like more of a problem than the last one is the amount of coverage so it constantly stays in peoples' minds.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, the media love drumming up fear and doom don't they? If a person sees something happening somewhere, panic buying of toilet paper for instance, I guess something triggers in the mind and they rush out to buy toilet paper in fear of missing out.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The sheep mentality is strong.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Canceled a business trip to Chicago, IL that was supposed to be at the end of March. I'm flying to St Louis, MO on Monday for work and theoretically to Philadelphia, PA in early April. My company just today gave us directives about travel and covid19 and I am probably going to cancel that April trip in the next week or so, once free cancellation is an option.
Since I'm traveling next week, I will get to self-quarantine for the 2 weeks after my trip. Luckily I can work from home...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Seems like your travel plans are going to be quite affected. Probably for the best though. It's an interesting scenario and I think will have some far-reaching implications over time. Let's see how it plays out.
!ENGAGE 50
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It definitely has made us rethink my normal travel schedule this year. I got 17 weeks on the road last year and usually am booking training classes for the early summer now. Currently everything is so up in the air, I'm scheduling video trainings and meetings instead. They aren't as solid as hands-on but at least they are an option. 10 years ago they wouldn't have been.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
A legit use of technology for sure. You're lucky. I have to see clients mostly face to face, but with some amendments and at a pinch could probably work remotely to the greater degree. Australia isn't too bad currently, but I think it's a matter of time before things get [a little more] draconian.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@jamethiel you have received
50 ENGAGEfrom @galenkp!View and trade the tokens on Steem Engine.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Well that could be a reality as the US banned all flights from mainland Europe for 30 days as of tonight. I think that is a smart move and one they have no choice with really. I think common sense and staying aware will get you along way to dodging this. I have no plans right now to travel but am hoping for later in the year for sure.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, I literally just saw that travel ban for the US. I'm hoping if anything like that happens it is prior to July and all will be on track for my trip. We are flying internally with Australia at the end of next week and am not expecting any issues. Time will tell.
!ENGAGE 25
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@cryptoandcoffee you have received
25 ENGAGEfrom @galenkp!View and trade the tokens on Steem Engine.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I was supposed to fly to Las Vegas today for a three night rock concert at the MGM Grand Casino followed by two nights at the Grand Canyon and three more nights in various towns in Arizona.
We had to cancel the trip because of my mom’s surgery/cancer and dog’s surgery. The hotels were all refundable and I had insurance on our concert tickets. But.... I had called a week/2 weeks ago regarding our flights. At that time, because I had booked a saver fare, I was told the flights would not be refundable.
Since I didn’t know how mom’s surgery would turn out at that time I did not cancel our flights. However, as corona spread I heard our airline started allowing refunds and credits on flights. (Plus I live in an area that has been completely closed as of today because of corona. No school, working from home, no sports, church, gatherings of over 250 people etc). Because of the virus, I was able to get the cost of our flights back as an airline credit I can use within a year. So, corona actually helped us out.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It seems to have worked out for you with the flights at least, although I'm sure you'd be more happy to be at that concert in Vegas.
You know, reading your last few lines...Seems like the plot from a movie...If you told a person this would be happening 3 months ago they would have laughed in your face. Now? Reality.
I'm reminded of every zombie movie I've seen...But more about that Dustin Hoffman movie Outbreak.
Hmm, strange times huh?
I hope things pan out for your mum and the doggo.
!ENGAGE 25
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@dfinney you have received
25 ENGAGEfrom @galenkp!View and trade the tokens on Steem Engine.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hey, @galenkp.
Sounds like the U.S. now has suspended travel to Europe, so good thing you're not routed through here. :)
I don't have anywhere to go other than work, and so far, they haven't told me to stay home.
Sports and sporting events keep getting cancelled, though. NBA season has been suspended, NCAA basketball tournaments won't have onlookers other than support staff and player family members (probably the media—the NCAA has to make money off of this somehow), and so on. I hope it helps slow things down.
Because I also believe that we need to keep living our lives, even in the face of viruses and STEEM upheavals. Sure, take the necessary precautions, but don't stop living.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It will be interesting to see how the reactionary-fallout affects particular areas. They just locked down Denmark in the same way as Italy so I reckon that may inhibit life over there somewhat. No gatherings over 100 people in size, schools, universities...That sort of thing can't be good for business.
It's interesting to see and hear peoples reactions though...Some don't think it's a real issue, some are stockpiling toilet paper...People are weird. I have a suspicion that a lot more sporting events will be cancelled. The Olympics included...No loss there though, it's a bit of a joke anyway with all the doping and stupid sports they allow in these days.
!ENGAGE 20
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@glenalbrethsen you have received
20 ENGAGEfrom @galenkp!View and trade the tokens on Steem Engine.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
No effect to my movements yet.
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Bro I raided the toilet paper hard! Cause you need it for when $#!+ hits the fan. :)
Yea it’s gonna interfere with some of my travel plans apparently but at least won’t cost me.
I have enough of basics to be covered for awhile but will prolly pick some more up tomorrow cause people will prolly start freaking out around here.
I’m not worried about supplies...I know how to raid lol
I hope you guys don’t kill Tom hanks! :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah, it's a little crazy getting 4 months of toilet paper supply in advance..Weird really, but I think having a few weeks of supplies could be smart. I'm always prepared but have added a few extra things like vitamin C tablets and ibuprofen. I've got guns, so shopping won't be too hard for me. (just kidding of course.)
Tom's probably fucked. We'll throw him in the ocean to keep the sharks fed once he croaks. (Dies).
Nah, we'll look after him. I like Tom Hanks.
I heard the USA NBA has now been cancelled. It's starting to ripple outwards now huh? I wonder if the Olympics will proceed. My bet is no.
...Get your raiding shoes on!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yea I was surprised to hear it even though you sorta know it’s coming (nba) now I’m sure it’s gonna be pretty much all other big events will be cancelled etc...lots of colleges shutting down too now.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yep, there'll be a knock-on effect.
The Formula One Grand Prix is on in Melbourne this weekend...Several hundred the people congregating in stands and in close proximity...Sounds contagious to me...I'll be watching safe and sound from the G-dog crib!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You should be fine, I don't think the virus can stand the cold weather in Finland. I notices they have setup testing station in all our hospitals this morning.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah maybe. They just locked down Denmark though...Which is where we are going in July though. I just got off the phone with my brother who feels certain the same will happen in Finland. I'm not too concerned as by July it will probably be old news and the propaganda machine will have moved on to something more important like the global warming myth.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
At least you can get you money back if they do lock it down.
The message I just read said if you get it "you will recover very quickly or you will get very sick very quickly"
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That's true. I'm not so much worried about the money...I want the vacation though. We'll have to wait and see how it plays out I suppose. Hopefully all the rapists and child molesters of the world get it and die though. It'd be a better place without them.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Congratulations @galenkp! Your post made the TravelFeed team happy so we have sent you our big smile. Keep up the good job. 😃
We noticed that you used the tag #travelfeed. With Steem moving to communities, we are retiring #travelfeed and will stop curating the tag with the launch of TravelFeed 3.0 in early March. You can learn more in our community announcement post. For your posts to be eligible for curation, we recommend you publish them through our platform TravelFeed.io. You can simply log in with your existing Steem account using Steemconnect or Steem Keychain.
Thanks for using TravelFeed!
@invisusmundi (TravelFeed team)
PS: Why not share your blog posts to your family and friends with the convenient sharing buttons on TravelFeed.io?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Howdy sir galenkp, very interesting and good advice to anyone buying tickets, get insurance! I hope it works out and you guys can still make it.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
It's not looking good at the moment but we'll wait and see.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit