Coronavirus - Sprint To The Finish Line

Coronavirus news keeps getting better and better.

As if to confirm that productions are ramping up across the board, I overheard a producer on one set tell a crew member that Hollywood is going full bore on filming right now. Everyone is busy, he said.

Less than a month ago, President Biden said that the vaccine rollout was going so well that by May 1st, every person over 16 will be eligible to receive the shot. Then Texas said they will move up that date in their state to March 29. As if not to be left too far behind, California moved their date for all adults to begin scheduling their vaccinations to April 15th.

President Biden on March 25th, said that by his 100th day in office over 200 million shots will be put into people's arms - that is over half of all Americans.

I keep hearing multiple people on set and even on the radio state how their entire families have been vaccinated already. The other day someone said they were planning on having a big family bbq on Easter as they have all been vaccinated.

Last week I walked into a taco shop and was asked if my tacos were for here or to go. I automatically said for here. When I sat down to eat, I realize that I had slipped back into my old pre-covid routine of indoor dining. Something I had not done in over a year. It was so odd, yet so familiar.

One common question on set is how much longer will we need coronavirus testing as more people are vaccinated. Testing is a huge expense to the entertainment industry, yet shutdowns are even more costly.

While the pace of vaccinations is rapidly increasing, there are constant reminders that we still have a long ways to go to return to our old normal.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly.

Coronavirus Free Weekend

Coronavirus Free Labor Day Weekend

 

Wildfires, heatwave, and a blockbuster movie release dominated local news. It was almost like a regular California Labor Day weekend. Coronavirus, BLM, and politics still dominated the news, but these other stories actually broke into the front pages of the major news outlets.

 

We checked into a hotel in San Diego for one night to escape the 114 degree South Pasadena heat last weekend. It was only 91 (a 25 degree difference). Everyone wore masks at the hotel. There were barriers between hotel staff and guests. All the restaurants at the hotel were closed. But along the Waterfront people rented kayaks and paddleboards. People fished. People bbq'd. People didn't act scared. They didn't appear resentful that they were wearing masks.

 

Being a fisherman, I had to check the San Diego fishing reports while I was there. Every sportfishing boat was booked that weekend. Not only that weekend, but filling up throughout the week. I had noticed that when I went on my fishing trip out of Santa Barbara a week ago - every trip was booked solid. And like on the Santa Barabara boat, the one in San Diego you had to wear a mask and sign a waiver that you were coronavirus symptom free before boarding. (Yes, I did go fishing in San Diego too - I couldn't help myself.)

 

Life seemed normal. And when life is normal you can talk about the heat wave; you can talk about California wildfires; you can talk about the new big movie release even if it is a streamer; and you can go fishing.

 

If the coronavirus epidemic has taught us one thing, it's that humans are resilient and adaptable.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesdays (and some Saturdays)

Coronavirus - Blanket Ban Lifted on International Travel

I came across a crazy story last week that the U.S. State Department lifted its blanket international travel ban for Americans to travel abroad. (see below)

I thought that was really odd as I am hearing about rising coronavirus numbers in India and Brazil and new outbreaks in European countries. New Zealand just reported its first coronavirus case in over 4 months.

 

So I read deeper and learned that the ban that was lifted was the level 4 warning that the State Department applied to all countries back in March. A level 4 warning prevents Americans from recreational travel to the specified country or in this case all countries. Now the State Department has set the warning level based each country's specific situation. This is the way it was before the coronavirus pandemic. For example, now Mexico and Brazil are still ranked at level 4, but most European countries have a level 3 ban and some Asian countries are ranked level 1.

 

The positive is that people can begin to dream of international travel again. Having dreams and hopes has been proven to be an endorphin booster - make a person feel good.

 

However, just because our rankings have changed, that doesn't mean foreign countries will allow Americans in yet. Spain has not lifted its restrictions on prohibiting recreational travelers from the U.S. even though the State Department gives them a level 3 ranking.

 

The negative is that for Americans who want to travel abroad the situation has become more complicated.

 

When we were told we couldn't go anywhere, we removed the idea of international travel from our mind and started planning the great American road trips.

 

When a situation is unclear, we spend countless hours and time researching or worrying about whether or not we can really book that international trip.

 

Still, the State Department decision shows that the world is trying to return to normal. Hopefully, we can all return to normal sooner rather than later.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/08/07/state-dept-lifted-its-blanket-international-travel-advisory-what-does-that-mean-americans/