****CARNIVAL CRUISERS: HOW ARE THINGS WHERE YOU LIVE???

[Host Carolyn]

Postponing phase 3 for 3 weeks here with over 1000 cases per day and hospitals almost full. We now can't travel to Northeast without quarantine for 14 days on arrival.  But even though we now have mask mandate some sheriffs etc say they will not enforce it and people especially in small towns won't wear them😣😣. Bars and gyms sued Governor to open and lost. 

 

Gonna be long hot summer. Be well everyone

Edited June 26, 2020 by Host Carolyn

[pacruise804]

I wish there were a sad face to show support, like doesn't seem quite right 😞 

 

I just read elsewhere that one of our larger area fairs will take place late September, "Lord willing and the creek don't rise."  I have very mixed emotions about it.

[pe4all]

On 6/25/2020 at 2:39 PM, pacruise804 said:

I just read elsewhere that one of our larger area fairs will take place late September, "Lord willing and the creek don't rise."  I have very mixed emotions about it.

NYC just cancelled their annual marathon, which takes place in November.  They are taking no chances. No street fairs, farmers markets allow only a certain amount of people in at a time, and those waiting are social distancing. Masks are the attire of the day.   NY has been taking things very seriously for the past few months, as we were slammed with the outbreak.  The saying "we are NY strong" has become our mantra.  The states which have an increase in cases really have to buckle down until they get this under control. I think it is almost worse to have to go back and shut certain things down that were open,  than open very slowly and stay open.   To have it bounce back in states that re-opened is very scary to me. 

[Honolulu Blue]

A couple of weeks ago I said Michigan and its COVID-19 response was a compelling story that hadn't really been covered.  I would have to say it's now been covered.  The New York Times Magazine has a big article about our Governor.  It's at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/magazine/gretchen-whitmer-coronavirus-michigan.html .  I should warn everyone that it's long, it covers a lot more territory than that virus, and it has some political moments in it.

 

In another post of mine, I mentioned a bar/restaurant that was traced as the source for 34 cases.  Well, it's up to 85 now.  To put it in perspective, the Grand Princess only had 103 confirmed cases.

 

So yeah, I'm still worried about Michigan.  309 more cases today means another day above 300 when the 7-day moving average was less than 150 two weeks ago.  Sundays are usually slow, so if we get yet another day over 300, then I know we've entered into the deep waters.  Again. 😨

[Predfan06]

We have seen an increase in cases but when the state opened back up they also decided to test anyone who wanted to be tested.  Things are normality here but stores close earlier.

[Radiioman46]

Texas is doing fine.

[Chrystine5]

Here in Iowa the numbers keep going down. The only person I personally know that got it is my 92 year old grandpa in a memory care facility where he has been isolated since the beginning. He only has contact with masked nurses, bathed in hand sanitizer. Me, I’ve been traveling all over, shopping at stores, getting together with medium to large groups, and hugging my friends, all sans mask. I gave blood the other day and they tested it, no COVID-19. Grandpa is fine BTW, completely asymptomatic.

[pe4all]

12 hours ago, Radiioman46 said:

Texas is doing fine.

Thought Texas just reversed/cut back re-opening due to spike in cases?  To all those states who think they are doing well - be careful.  This disease seems to come back with a vengeance to areas who thought they were under control, or had very few cases.  http://longisland.news12.com/story/42300149/as-covid19-cases-surge-in-us-rural-areas-seeing-increases-as-well  Stay safe and healthy!

[Joe817]

Here in Texas, we've taken a big step backwards due to opening up the state:

"As Texas continues to see an uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says the state has “lost control” of the pandemic. 

     PolicyLab forecasters say if mitigation efforts don't change, Dallas County could see roughly a thousand daily new coronavirus cases by mid-July — that's more than double the current daily case count.

     Recently, the county's seen record numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations. In Harris County — which includes Houston — the weekly average of new hospitalizations has quadrupled since mid-May.

PolicyLab director Dr. David Rubin is concerned about how quickly the epidemic is progressing, saying it could quickly overwhelm local healthcare systems.

     Just this week, Texas Children's Hospital announced it'll admit adult COVID-19 patients after a surge of hospitalizations in the Houston area.

     https://www.keranews.org/post/covid-19-live-updates-early-voting-start-tomorrow-cases-north-texas-continue-surge

 

Our governor, Greg Abbott, is leaving it up to the individual counties to enact their own mask ordinance. Here in Tarrant County(county seat is Fort Worth), we do have the mask ordinance in place. Same for Dallas County. 

[pe4all]

Joe817- thoughts are with you, and all others who are seeing an uptick in cases.   However, as things open up here, we can already see less masks than before, and more "groups" gathering.   Our restaurants just went to 25% indoor occupancy, with many setting up tents outside for outdoor socially distanced eating.  DH and I still have not "eaten out" - will wait another week, and even then will not dine indoors.   Our governer (Cuomo) has really done all he can do to bring our numbers down, and has been very successful so far.  He just signed an executive order stating that any NY resident who voluntarily visits a virus hotspot will not be eligible for paid sick leave.   300 gyms/fitness centers in NY are starting a class-action lawsuit against him because - as of this moment - they will not be allowed to open even in phase 4, which hopefully we will hit in another week.  Schools here have to come up with a potential re-opening plan for Sept. by 7/15.  Should be interesting to see how that goes....

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

6 hours ago, pe4all said:

Our restaurants just went to 25% indoor occupancy

Illinois restaurants just went with 25% indoor capacity last Friday.  We decided to dine in at one of our favorites that had been closed since late March.  They definitely did things right with tables clearly marked as unusable for social distancing and wait staff always wearing masks.  We wore ours while moving about as a measure of respect.  Meal was great & uneventful.  Hopefully the State won’t re-spikes as closures would certainly reoccur.

[pe4all]

NY just hit our lowest daily death total - 5.  Still 5 too many lives lost, but better than the 800 per day we were losing at the peak.

[RWolver672]

Unfortunately in Lansing, Mi. there was a bar that opened without the patrons using common sense.  At last count, there are 85 people that now have the virus from being there.  Governor Whitmer has mandated that anyone outside their homes should be wearing a mask even just outside.

[BenjiRodney]

Still working from home and we probably will into the next year. Just being cautious. 

[pe4all]

They just extended Broadway show shutdown until January 3, 2021.  Said it was too dangerous to have 1,000 strangers, plus actors, stage crew, orchestra together.  

[Honolulu Blue]

22 hours ago, RWolver672 said:

Unfortunately in Lansing, Mi. there was a bar that opened without the patrons using common sense.  At last count, there are 85 people that now have the virus from being there.  Governor Whitmer has mandated that anyone outside their homes should be wearing a mask even just outside.

 

http://hd.ingham.org/About/ArticlesPublications/tabid/3378/ctl/ArticleView/mid/4286/articleId/9051/Ingham-County-reduces-restaurant-capacity-as-outbreak-linked-to-local-bar-grows.aspx

 

It's up to 107 now.  Ingham County is now cracking the whip, as much as they can.  In addition to a 50% capacity limit, there will also be a hard 75 person limit for any bar or restaurant.  Can you imagine your favorite cruise ship MDR with only 75 people?  Anyway, the bar/restaurant that's become ground zero is CLOSED until the county says they can reopen.

 

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2020/06/29/ingham-county-limits-restaurants-75-patrons-harpers-outbreak-covid-19-coronavirus-michigan/3281300001/

 

There's still a chance our Governor will crack down further and shut down the bars and/or restaurants statewide.  

[linz98144]

On 6/27/2020 at 5:45 PM, Radiioman46 said:

Texas is doing fine.

Uuuhhhh… In Texas now, it's far from fine. 

The largest county just extended the mask and other measures to go until at least the end of August. 

Imagine it'll be awhile before they let any ships sail out of Galveston. 

[Radiioman46]

23 minutes ago, linz98144 said:

Uuuhhhh… In Texas now, it's far from fine. 

The largest county just extended the mask and other measures to go until at least the end of August. 

Imagine it'll be awhile before they let any ships sail out of Galveston. 

I saw today where the county judge extended the mask for two more months. LOL!

I went to a restaurant for lunch, put my mask on,walked through the door, walked about 20 feet, sat down and took my mask off. I hope that I saved a lot of ppl, but I was the only one there, I guess I saved myself. hi hi.

I gave up on cruises happening. I think I've seen where the experts don't want anything to happen until there is a vaccine. We know how that goes. So, don't plan on any cruising. 

[Honolulu Blue]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so I'm putting it here.  There's a test being developed that can detect the virus in a variety of bodily fluids within 45 minutes.  They say it's accurate (mmm hmmm), inexpensive, and could be ready for wide use in a month or so.  It sounds like what the cruise lines really need, short of a vaccine - and it's mentioned as such in the article.  It's at https://www.clickondetroit.com/health/2020/07/01/beaumont-says-new-covid-19-test-can-detect-virus-in-saliva-urine-blood-within-30-45-minutes/ .

Edited July 1, 2020 by Honolulu Blue

[RWolver672]

Another set-back for Michigan.  Bars had been opened for the past couple of weeks.  Our numbers climbed considerably.  Our Governor declared that bars could now be take out only.  The only time we drink alcohol is on a cruise so it doesn't affect us.  My first thought was why would anyone buy alcohol from a bar to take home.  It's a lot cheaper to buy a 12 pack or a pint from a grocery or liquor store.  I can't imagine someone going to a bar and taking home a martini in a Styrofoam cup.  

[Honolulu Blue]

Michigan news in a bit. But first a couple of news articles I found of interest.

 

The Washington Post asked six health specialists about how they deal with health risks in their own lives.  They were asked whether they would dine out, fly in a plane, swim in a pool, and other items.  Lots of the questions related to items on cruise ships, though they were not directly asked about that experience.  The headline name is Dr. Anthony Fauci, who you all have probably heard of by now.  He continues to amaze me with his ability to criticize You Know Who and keep his job.  The Post has some steep paywalls, but this one is free for me for now, and it's worth reading if you can get to it.  Here it is:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/how-fauci-5-other-health-specialists-deal-with-covid-19-risks-in-their-everyday-lives/2020/07/02/d4665ed6-b6fb-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html

 

OK, looping back to more local news, the total cases tied to that bar/restaurant was up to 152 as of Thursday.  That and a few more details are at https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/07/02/covid-19-cases-linked-harpers-bar-east-lansing-138/5361736002/ .

 

I want to take a few moments to emphasize some good news in our state and my local area, at least relative to the rest of the U.S.:

 

• My county has had just over 1000 cases.  There are ZERO currently in the hospital with the disease.  That's the nice part about having young people get sick.
• We haven't had any deaths of county resident reported in two weeks
• The state positive percentage rate is just over 3%
• Even as it's risen the past few weeks, our 7-day moving average of new cases per day is still lower than most states, and it's even lower when you take into account our population
• Our state bar ban was relatively narrow - facilities that earn over 70% of their income from alcohol sales can no longer sell alcohol indoors.  That leaves a lot of exceptions for those who like to imbibe.
• Alcoholic drinks can now be sold to-go and for delivery.  This might be old news in some states (let me know if yours is one of them), but it's new to us.
• There are still few cases in northern Michigan and the U.P.  

[Host Carolyn]

Hi Honolulu Blue!

 

I'm trying to keep this thread free of Covid stats, discussions and articles. Not that there is anything wrong with your post but so many threads turning into off topic debates I hope you understand.

 

Happy 4th from  surging worse than ever NC.....

[lovecaribbean6179]

Happy 4th Fellow Cruisers!  

 

Stay Safe and Well.

[Honolulu Blue]

3 hours ago, Host Carolyn said:

Hi Honolulu Blue!

 

I'm trying to keep this thread free of Covid stats, discussions and articles. Not that there is anything wrong with your post but so many threads turning into off topic debates I hope you understand.

 

Happy 4th from  surging worse than ever NC.....

 

I understand your perspective.  I'll try to keep my posts tighter.  I hope things turn around for you in North Carolina.

[pe4all]

Entering stage 4 today - yay!  Still not allowing gyms, casinos, malls or movie theaters to open though.  Our local pools are finally opening with 50% capacity and facemarks have to be worn except when in water. (even if lounges are 6 feet apart)  Museums, aquarium, gardens, college campuses opening.   NYC is entering stage 3 - my city dd can't wait to get her nails done - lol!

Edited July 8, 2020 by pe4all