Advice from a Veteran Traveler During the Coronavirus Pandemic
I’ve traveled to almost 40 countries in 22 years and I have been through a lot while on my travels. As a New Yorker, I’ve survived through 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. In 2010, when Greece held protests because of the debt crisis—I was there. In 2011, during the Arab Spring—I visited Jordan and Turkey. In 2013, when Paris held mass demonstrations against approving gay marriage—I was there. In 2016, during Italy’s migrant crisis in Lake Como—I was there. In 2017, during the height of terror attacks in the UK—I was there. In 2019, when Paris went through a period of demonstrations with the yellow vest movement—again, I was there.
As I am writing this, I am currently sitting in my pajamas on day 10 of self-quarantine, and currently sick (of an unknown illness) with my upcoming trip to Egypt in April effectively cancelled. I tried going to Egypt once before, during which time the Arab Spring started and I instead chose to go to Jordan and Turkey. I’ve wanted to go to Egypt since I was 8, but I knew now was not time to go.
Source: The New York Times
Looking at my social media, I am horrified at the number of people on my feed partying and going to Miami and the Caribbean for their spring break. With new studies about the relatively unknown novel coronavirus, there’s no reason to be on the beach acting like it’s business as usual, even if the flights are cheap.
Source: CNN
Here are some do’s and don’t during this unprecedented time:
DO NOT travel
Take it from someone who has trained themselves to tough it out and wants to travel to the places you’re not supposed to go to, do not travel during this time. The Giza Pyramids and Abu Simbel are going nowhere. I am more concerned with spreading the virus, and you should be too.
Source: Independent.com
Do plan trips—for the future
We are all sitting at home bored of the same Netflix TV shows, unsure what to with our lives or how to be productive. Whilst in the middle of working from home and doing homework, plan your next trip! But do consider that it may be a while until things go back to normal, so book accordingly.
DO NOT be selfish, self-quarantine
Look, if some of the most selfish and out of touch people on the planet—celebrities—can get on board with self-quarantining it, you can too!
Source: J:14.com
Source: Musée-d’Orsay
Do visit museums—from the comfort of your home
Google, and some of the best museums in the world, have teamed up to create virtual tours of their galleries. Embrace the culture and learn something new!