2020: COVID-19, Masks, Social Distancing, Cleanliness, and Travel Bans

Mask Up: 2020 Style

Somebody pinch me!

This sentiment echoed loud and clear throughout 2020.

As I write this blog with two days remaining in the year, I hope it closes uneventfully.

We all have been traumitized in some way or another due to COVID-19.

I attended a virtual funeral service for a classmate who died from COVID related complications. Sadly, I saw many more RIP’s online.

Some (young and old) were not able to deal with the mental toll and ended their life via suicide.

It seems so senseless! My condolences to all who have lost loved ones.

Others felt the financial devestation from job loss and food insecurities.

This pandemic was straight out of a nightmarish movie (ones on the topic actually exist)!

We all need therapy at this point!

Who would’ve thought masks would be the most popular (and oftentimes mandatory) accessory across all races, gender, and age?

They’ve grown on me and I sometimes match them to my clothing. Most likely it’s a coping mechanism!

Masks are equivalent to currency since you literally “can’t leave home without them”.

Like me, you’ve probably had many occurrences of forgetting them in the car.

Social Distance

It was interesting seeing each person’s interpretation of six feet. I’m no mathematician, but it varied greatly.

Social distancing signs loitered floors and storefronts alike.

Restaurant chairs/tables were either removed or taped off to discourage dining in.

Plexiglass was a clear barrier between many essential workers and customers.

The number of COVID cases in your area determined how long/strict these retsrictions were.

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Humans designed for closeness were now being told to stay apart.

Gatherings were restricted and many people felt helpless in not being able to see vulnerable family members.

The CDC was limiting travel in every form.

Many feared leaving their home and gas prices took a historical dip!

That was a positive in the midst of all the dread and gloom.

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In a previous blog, I spoke about the empty shelves resulting from hoarding toilet paper, wipes, sanitizer, and cleaning products.

Soap never suffered as if washing hands was of lesser importance!

Vitamins and supplements didn’t take a hit until many sought them out for lingering COVID symptoms.

Black folks were told to elevate their Vitamin D levels (something about melanin hindering getting it naturally from the sun) and many testing positive had low levels.

Zinc was recommended to restore smell and taste.

Rarely was building immunity mentioned.

Its only recently that stores begin to stock back on essential cleaning products.

The industry that has suffered the most (from social distancing), has been one of the ones dearest to me: travel.

I felt like my traveling had been hijacked by this virus!.

Dream on…

As a travel blogger, I had to improvise on every level (from blogging to marketing/social media).

The last thing people wanted to do during this pandemic is read about travel.

I made a decision to continue fulfilling my dream!

It wasn’t easy since I had only started blogging in 2019.

I didn’t even acknowledge my anniversary this summer!

I hope to do it big some day!

2020: Light at the end of the tunnel?

To date, cruising has yet to resume in the U.S.

The most current news on COVID is that vaccines are being distributed. This is probably the fastest a vaccine has ever been approved.

Essential workers and the elderly are being given priority.

I just want to wake up out of this seemingly parallell universe!

I’ve traveled four times in 2020 and each time felt like an act of desperation!

I needed a break from “everything Corona”.

Even though restrictions were in place everywhere…I needed a change of scenery.

I’ve been to Arizona, a weekend staycation in the Keys, Vegas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

According to my estimation, I’ve traveled double the amount of miles than in 2019. All 11, 104 of them were domestic.

I went to the West Coast for the first time and repeated!

2020 included 5 hotels, 2 car rentals, and 10 flights!

Despite everything, I still got to do what I love.

It wasn’t the same, but I will take a break wherever I can get one!

I think I earned it!

We all have!

SHARING IS CARING:

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~Poof…Bee Gone

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