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Air Travel In The COVID-19 Era
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BIG PICTURE
Numbers: As of May 4, the number of U.S. passengers dropped 93% vs. last year.
Perspective: Last April, on average, 2M+ traveled by plane every day in America. This April: just under 110,000 per day.
Developments: At least 5 major U.S. airlines require passengers to wear face masks.
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Why It Matters
Sustained economic loss due to a drop in travel. It’s not just about the airlines, but everything related: hotels, restaurants, tourist sites, shopping, and beyond.
One industry group says the economic impact of COVID-19 (in dollars) on the travel industry overall will be 9 times worse than the aftermath of September 11th.
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What The CDC Says
Avoid all non-essential travel.
CDC: “Because of how air circulates & is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights.”
However, the CDC emphasizes crowded flights with infected travelers may heighten your risk of contracting and spreading the new coronavirus.
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“There’s no magic formula.”
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“Too hard to tell at this point… I hope down the road it is, but our priority is opening up the domestic economy. Obviously, for business people that do need to travel, there will be travel on a limited basis. But this is a great time for people to explore America.”
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INNOVATIONS?
The Dreaded Middle Seat: Squeezing in like sardines might be a thing of the past *for now* as airlines look to create more space between passengers.
More Screening: A Seattle airport is utilizing thermal imaging cameras to detect fevers among potential passengers. There’s some discussion about health screening at security checkpoints, but the TSA says it’s TBD.
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The U.S. has issued a level 3 travel notice, warning of widespread ongoing COVID-19 transmission, and potential refusal of entry or quarantine upon return to the United States for EVERY country on the planet. See the map for yourself on our source page.
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Summer Travel Plans?
NASA has you covered…
…space is open for business!
(sort of)
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What’s The News?
- The Trip: NASA won’t fly you to the moon *yet* but you might be able to visit the International Space Station (ISS) by next year.
- How It *Might* Work: Private companies could fly you to the ISS & reserve access for up to 30 days.
- How much? TBD. One estimate: $50 MILLION per person. NASA says $35,000/night to use ISS.
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Why It Matters:
- This is a change. NASA used to not allow any projects that didn’t focus on research or education. NASA wants “in” on the party, collaborating with companies to access the “new” economy.
- Space is expensive. Private industry competition has raised the questions about whether taxpayers alone should finance U.S. space exploration.
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While NASA says it doesn't foresee this limited space travel (2 trips a year of a handful of people) making a profit for the agency, but the money could help it invest in other projects. And, if you want to wait, NASA says moon trips will come by 2024.
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SmartHER Adventure:
Notre Dame Football
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Watch Now“You don’t need to be Irish, & it doesn’t matter your college team allegiances.A Heck, maybe you’re just a fan of the movieA Rudy. A Notre Dame football weekend is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
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Key to Success: Start Early
“Buy game tickets, hotel rooms & flights as soon as possible. The closer to football season the harder to find & more expensive things get.”
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Game Weekend
CLICK: Game Day Events“A tradition since 1931, every Notre Dame football team has marched down the same tunnel and on to the same field for every home football game. On football weekend Fridays, you can too!”
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Keep Your Camera Handy
It’s worth heading to the bookstore for any last minute Irish gear because there’s no doubtA you’ll run into a former coach or player or famous fan and get an autograph.
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College football kicks off this Saturday! Notre Dame is ranked #12 (Alabama is #1). Time to pack your bags -- but read on to learn why you should leave your purse at home.
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Diving With Great Whites
Watch Now
SmartHER News Founder Jenna Lee Babin takes you cage diving with Great White Sharks.
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“The world’s largest predatory fish doesn’t show up on cue. If I have one piece of advice? Pack some patience and TAKE MOTION SICKNESS MEDICATION.”
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“Experience and passion over the fancy boats makes all the difference.”
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“I still don’t love swimming in open water (and I am not sure I ever will), but this adventure instilled in me a truly unique respect for the beauty, grace and power of Great Whites. And if nothing else, it made me realize how little they are interested in us!”
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Read more about Jenna's adventure cage-diving with Great Whites in South Africa.
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SmartHER Positano
Flip: Ciao Bella
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“I thought no exotic destination could ever match our Honeymoon in Bora Boraa |. until we arrived on the Amalfi Coast, and Positano literally took my breath away.”
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Getting There
“My husband can drive anywhere, on the wrong side of the road, in the middle of Paris – but he was very glad that we hired a driver from Naples.”
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“After climbing up and down steps all day, there is no guilt in the evening as you enjoy the best homemade pasta and fresh fish you have ever eaten!”
Flip: Where To Go
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In Nearby Capri
“…hike up to Mount Tiberius, at the very top of the island – you are literally on top of the world! A This is where the Emperor Tiberius used to toss people he didna t like off the cliff into the sea, so ita s much more enjoyable to visit Capri today.”
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We asked Kit how she looked so glamorous while traveling - Her response? "When in Italy all you need is to wear white and sunglasses and a man in a fedora doesn't hurt." Love it! Have a SmartHER Tip? Email us: Info@SmartHERNews.com
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SmartHER Adventure:
DISNEY WORLD
Dr. Darria Long Gillespie gives us her take on how to “survive” the happiest place on the planet.
Flip For Tips
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“I am firmly convinced that Disney World pumps Oxytocin into the air. While youa re there, there are moments you swear ‘We ARE NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN!’ And then on your way home, you say ‘We should probably start planning our next trip…’a
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The Key To Happiness
“…we confuse thirst with hunger, which leads everyone to overeat (and whata s always in reach at Disney? CANDY and sugary drinks = meltdowns later).”
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Click: FastPass Info“…sometimes getting in lines for a Disney ride will feel only marginally less pleasant than standing in line for TSA and probably closer to the DMV…That said, hearing your child squeal with laughter…makes it all worthwhile.”
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“…the only people who say ‘My family is going to eat healthy at Disney’ have clearly never been to Disney.”
Flip For A Tasty Tip
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“Donuts are absolutely required. Doctora s orders.”
“Stop by Joffreya s for donuts some mornings. Just do it. You have to ask where the stand is in each different park, but after youa re handed a warm donut the size of your head, you will thank me.”
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Take a trip recently? Have tips to share? We'd love to hear them and feature you on SmartHERNews.com & across our social media platforms. Email us info@smartHERnews.com - with subject line: Travel Tips! We can't wait to hear them!
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Girl “Injured” By “Support Dog” On Flight
- On Feb 21, an incident took place involving a young girl (6-7 yrs old) while boarding plane.
- Southwest says dog “scraped” girl’s forehead with teeth (AP).
- Dog reportedly “support” pet of another passenger.
Flip For Why It Matters
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Consider The Context
Drama-Filled Month
- In late January, a United Airlines passenger made national headlines when she tried to bring a peacock named Dexter on a flight as a “support” pet.
- United denied the peacock a seat and a debate about “appropriate” support animals ensued.
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Why This Is Important
“United had been reviewing its policy since late last yearA afterA a 75% increase in emotional-support animals on flightsA and a a significant increase in onboard incidents.a
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Why Is This Happening?
Possible Explanations
- Support pets, like service animals, fly free.
- Support pets do not receive the same rigorous training as a “service” pet, which can lead to more “incidents.”
- No hard firm rules about acceptable “comfort” animals on flights.
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Airlines: Reviewing Rules
- Stricter regulations on “comfort” animals resisted by some who say increased documentation unfair to the truly disabled.
- Current rules purposefully very broad; spiders are clearly NOT considered comfort pets, but did you know miniature horses are included in The Americans with Disabilities Act as “service pets”?
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Just For Kicks: Dexter, the peacock, may not have "frequent flyer" miles but he has his own instagram account.
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