beachmouse

PA roads don’t seem that bad to me but then I grew up in Michigan and can remember my Ford Escort getting pretty much entirely consumed by a pot hole on I-275

ATOBTTR

kipper

It also has the benefit of taking you right by several amazing breweries. Speaking of, for the next time you are in the area, I have a few new places to suggest.

jrl767

yes, brewery meetups were also a great benefit!

just learned of an event tentatively planned to be held on campus the weekend of 8-10 Oct ... fingers crossed that all the stars align and it actually occurs

navi_jen

Gang,

I have to make an emergency DL flight to DTW>TPA tonight, my Dad's had a stroke. He's stable but looking at a big carotid blockage. Any recommendations on how to fly safely (besides the typical stay the hell away from people and mask to the hilt)? I'm freakin' 2 days away from being eligible for a vaccine! Any recommendations on how to get a vaccine out of state, I'm all ears.

Not a good day.

kipper

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it occurs!
Oh, no! I'm so sorry! Wear masks, take your hand sanitizer, wipe down everything, and just don't stress. Take vitamins!

beachmouse

Florida is very strict about residency proof because of a controversy over ‘vaccine tourism’ in January. If you’re going to be down there long enough you could be considered to be his caregiver, I’d have a talk with a hospital social worker/discharge planner and see if they have some insight.

Kind and good thoughts to your family during these tough times.

MSPeconomist

Print your boarding pass in advance so you don't have to go to the check in counter (and so you know whether you have PreCheck), assuming no bag to check.

Consider wearing a well-fitting vented N95 under a cloth mask. Add a face shield if possible. Carry lots of sanitizing wipes and liquid hand sanitizer (or sanitizing hand wipes). Eat before going to the airport. Keep hands away from eyes and mouth. Don't let random "helpful" strangers handle your belongings, such as juggling the overhead bin or grabbing a bag off the belt after it clears security. Wear clothing that makes it easy to wash hands well (no long sleeves that can't be pushed up easily). Use pinkie knuckle to push buttons. Use a paper towel or similar for door handles, staircase railings, escalator grab belt, water taps, etc. Place credit card, photo ID, etc. that you'll need in a pocket (and return it there) so that after you use the card/ID, it doesn't touch other items you'll be touching, such as your phone. Try to stay away from other people. Wipe your entire seating area on the place. With DL, at least you should have an empty seat. Look for no-contact (sensor) sanitizing gel dispensers if possible rather than one with the pump that's touched by many hands. Bring a small bar of soap in a container or some liquid soap, again partly to avoid touching a public pump in restrooms. Vitamins, food, and sleep to the extent possible.

Best wishes. Please check back when you can. We're thinking of you.

Zorak

Sorry to hear -- my thoughts are with you and your family.

I dunno how reassuring this will be but I think flying is actually reasonably safe, especially given mask mandates and seat blocking on DL. COVID seems to spread mainly through airborne transmission, so wiping isn't as critical (but does help with other stuff that does transmit by surface contamination, so...)

So besides being vigilant about masking and avoiding crowds, my other strategies for flying during COVID have been

- use the gaspers strategically (the air coming out of them has passed through a HEPA filter) to direct air almost but not quite directly at me

- eat/drink when others aren't

- boarding is by row from the back, but medallions/C+/F can board whenever they want. Some choose to board last to minimize number of people walking past them; I'm usually in a window seat so I don't mind boarding earlier and getting situated since I'm away from the aisle anyway. With seat blocking there's not as much competition for the overhead, so... you can also hang out close enough to the gate to observe the boarding line but far enough away to avoid people and ninja in during a lull if you want

navi_jen

Thanks gang...I called my primary care too, bursting into tears, seeing if there is a way they can squeeze me in early for the vaccination. With the blockage, I suspect I'll be in FL for awhile. Waiting to hear back.

jrl767

very sorry to learn this, Jen ... hope your dad recovers well, hope you're able to get shot w/o excessive hassles; wishing you safe -- and sane, to the extent possible -- travels (nothing to add to others' advice, either in general or specific terms)

mattp1987

Very sorry to hear, Jen. I hope all goes well with your travels and recovery. I've only traveled twice since March, but I mostly follow what Zorak posted. I have a couple N95s that I save for traveling; they aren't as comfortable as cloth masks but provide greater protection. Unfortunately, if you don't have one I don't know that you'll be able to find one before leaving unless your primary care is willing to give you one or maybe at a hardware store.

navi_jen

Thanks...I was able to snag an early COVID vaccine slot (first slot on the first day of eligibility) so I'm going to get shot up Thursday AM then drive up to DTW for the flight. Luckily I have a P100 respirator (the legacy of the Smelly House comes in handy once in awhile) and it snares 99.5% of particles down to 1mc, so I plan on using that in the airports and on the flight....visuals be damned.

Fingers crossed he's stable for the next 36 hours.

SuperG1955

Jen - so sorry to hear about your Dad.

Get some gloves to take with you. Nitrile exam preferred but even food service glove will work for limited use. Put them on before boarding and keep them on until you've sanitized your seat area. Put a fresh pair o if you have to use the lav or touch anyplace else i the aircraft. Put on a fresh pair to retrieve anything from the overhead and deplaning.

Don't worry if you look weird - lots of people do .

Good luck

P.S. I agree 100% with Zorak's post

Added: Travel in F - use miles, points, or $
FWIW - I've flown 12 segments since Jan and so far all is OK.

GW McLintock

I am so sorry navi_jen. Best of luck to your family.

I would strongly second this. My doctor specifically said that vitamins C and D and zinc are important in combatting COVID.

-J.