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Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - Printable Version

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Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - thatboy - 03-17-2020

I am on an extended vacation in Hawaii. Supposed to fly back March 29 to the Bay Area. I’m worried I might get stuck here. In the mega thread someone posted that prediction tweet from that woman that flights might soon be cancelled. I can’t decide if I would be better off potentially stuck here (I have a place to stay) rather than flying home where I would have to shelter in place with my mom. I live with her normally. Either way I work from home. I can do that from Hawaii when vacation ends. But not sure I want to be trapped here indefinitely, possibly, as nice as it is. On the other hand, flying back to a shelter in place situation doesn’t sound all that appealing. 

I guess I just am trying to figure out worst case scenario if I got stuck here. I know nobody can answer definitively, but wondering if you have any thoughts. Like how long could I be stuck here possibly? Or is that unrealistic and maybe there will always be a few flights to mainland?

Thanks

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - BostonCard - 03-17-2020

I don't have an answer for you, but I think you've thought of the appropriate questions.

BC

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - magnus - 03-17-2020

Also something to consider...
is your mom in the high risk demographic?  Does she have someone she can lean on if she gets sick?

Do you have a network you can lean on if you get sick in HI?

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - cardcrimson - 03-17-2020

Does your mom need help, emotional or otherwise? If she's okay and housing in both places is free, I'd stay there. No reason to come back at the moment. 

Essential businesses are continuing operations, so I'd imagine planes will still fly, though at a significantly lower rate. Just my conjecture at this time.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - thatboy - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 09:38 AM)magnus Wrote:  Also something to consider...
is your mom in the high risk demographic?  Does she have someone she can lean on if she gets sick?

Do you have a network you can lean on if you get sick in HI?

Yeah, she's in her 70s, but basically happy and healthy. She has a good network of friends and my sister lives about 45 minutes away. But if something happened I'm sure it would be better if I was around to help.

I know enough people in Hawaii to manage. They are not my normal circle of friends, but there are a few people I could turn to if necessary.

I should add: my mother thinks I should stay and enjoy myself. My sister thinks I should return ASAP just in case. So I'm torn.

Yesterday I booked a flight for this afternoon so I need to decide soon (or at least postpone another day or so).... Anyway, I am just thinking out loud and appreciate the responses. Thanks.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - magnus - 03-17-2020

If you do fly home, can you stay with your sister for 14 days before seeing your mom?  Just in case you pick up something en route?

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - thatboy - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 10:28 AM)magnus Wrote:  If you do fly home, can you stay with your sister for 14 days before seeing your mom?  Just in case you pick up something en route?

Yeah, I could do that. Also, I have a few of those N95 masks that I can wear on the plane. I picked them up when we had those fires in California a while back and brought them with me to Hawaii just in case. I don't know if they really help or not.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - Leftcoast - 03-17-2020

I'd stay in Hawaii if expenses and living condition aren't an issue:

*  Avoid the plane flight and airport which aren't healthy options right now
*  Avoid bringing germs from the above to your high-risk mom
*  Hawaii has a low level of infection so safer for you 
*  You can work remotely so no personal financial negatives

Plus ... If you are going to be stuck someplace for 2-3 weeks ... Hawaii.  :-)

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - magnus - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 10:51 AM)thatboy Wrote:  Yeah, I could do that. Also, I have a few of those N95 masks that I can wear on the plane. I picked them up when we had those fires in California a while back and brought them with me to Hawaii just in case. I don't know if they really help or not.

Masks will certainly help, especially since the virus can hang in the air.  Will they guarantee safety?  No, but at least you're reducing your chances of getting it.

That said, N95s work best when fitted.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - BostonCard - 03-17-2020

Also, N95 masks are just one part of the personalized protective equipment that includes disposable gloves and gowns, plus knowing how to keep good hygiene habits (and having the masks adequately fitted).  It does you know good to have a mask on in isolation if you get viable virus particles on your clothes, and then touch them as you take them off, and then touch your face or eyes before being able to wash yourself.

BC

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - dabigv13 - 03-17-2020

Most n95 masks are the same size. Only rarely does someone have a nonstandard fitment. Most facial hair a no no.

Tough choice. I wouldn't be too concerned with flying and going through airport if you are masked and are aggressive with cleaning any surfaces you touch on the plane and sanitizing frequently. An n95 will be uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time though. We just traveled to British Columbia two weeks ago and wore standard surgical masks pretty much the whole time except while in the airport away from other people. I though it feasible to travel relatively cleanly if very anal about things.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - akiddoc - 03-17-2020

If your mom gets sick and you're living at home you won't be able to leave the house. On the other hand you could monitor her at home.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - thatboy - 03-17-2020

Many very helpful responses. Thanks everyone.

In case anyone's curious, I decided to kick the can down the road and stay a few more days and re-assess then. I guess I am ok with risking getting stuck here for longer than expected. Going back to a shelter-in-place Bay Area just seems a little bleak compared to Hawaii where things are still mostly normal** and I can swim, etc. And my mom is taking precautions and has a good network.

** people are starting to hoard food here too -- though we seem to be a couple weeks behind the Bay Area in that regard -- and some stores are voluntarily closing. Starbucks here has a "grab and go" policy where you can pick up your drink but can't sit down at their tables and hang out... Things like that.

Anyway, thanks again for responding and all the helpful info.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - 2006alum - 03-17-2020

Stay safe thatboy!

FWIW, if you are worried about an oppressive environment during the shelter in place, I just got back from a run in/around Golden Gate Park in SF and it felt *busier* than normal, with tons of joggers, runners, strollers, bikes, etc. Folks were generally keeping a safe distance and not in groups larger than two, but if I didn't already know there was a shelter in place, I would not have guessed it based on my environment. The upside to California in the winter is every day it's not raining is a great day to get outside, and individual outdoor activities are not part of the shelter in place prohibition.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - thatboy - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 05:24 PM)2006alum Wrote:  Stay safe thatboy!

FWIW, if you are worried about an oppressive environment during the shelter in place, I just got back from a run in/around Golden Gate Park in SF and it felt *busier* than normal, with tons of joggers, runners, strollers, bikes, etc. Folks were generally keeping a safe distance and not in groups larger than two, but if I didn't already know there was a shelter in place, I would not have guessed it based on my environment. The upside to California in the winter is every day it's not raining is a great day to get outside, and individual outdoor activities are not part of the shelter in place prohibition.

Great to hear. Thanks. I will keep that in mind when I re-evaluate in a few days.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - Mick - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 10:51 AM)thatboy Wrote:  
(03-17-2020, 10:28 AM)magnus Wrote:  If you do fly home, can you stay with your sister for 14 days before seeing your mom?  Just in case you pick up something en route?

Yeah, I could do that. Also, I have a few of those N95 masks that I can wear on the plane. I picked them up when we had those fires in California a while back and brought them with me to Hawaii just in case. I don't know if they really help or not.

I'm on a Delta jet back to San Jose from Washington D.C.  I have an N95 mask on, have for the whole flight, did the gloves and Clorox wipes.  We'll see if it works.  I'm 57, diabetic, hypertension, heart failure, the works.  Maybe if I get the coronavirus I'll just explode...
(03-17-2020, 05:24 PM)2006alum Wrote:  Stay safe thatboy!

FWIW, if you are worried about an oppressive environment during the shelter in place, I just got back from a run in/around Golden Gate Park in SF and it felt *busier* than normal, with tons of joggers, runners, strollers, bikes, etc. Folks were generally keeping a safe distance and not in groups larger than two, but if I didn't already know there was a shelter in place, I would not have guessed it based on my environment. The upside to California in the winter is every day it's not raining is a great day to get outside, and individual outdoor activities are not part of the shelter in place prohibition.

Nice day in D. C. this past weekend.  Everything was closed, so I headed down to the upscale wharf and fish market for lunch.  Hope the very-lightly-cooked shrimp and attendant bacteria killed any viruses I may have had.

Place was seriously packed with people.  Tough to socially distance, but just barely doable.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - thatboy - 03-17-2020

Good luck Mick. I hope you don't explode :)

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - BostonCard - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 06:36 PM)Mick Wrote:  
(03-17-2020, 05:24 PM)2006alum Wrote:  Stay safe thatboy!



FWIW, if you are worried about an oppressive environment during the shelter in place, I just got back from a run in/around Golden Gate Park in SF and it felt *busier* than normal, with tons of joggers, runners, strollers, bikes, etc. Folks were generally keeping a safe distance and not in groups larger than two, but if I didn't already know there was a shelter in place, I would not have guessed it based on my environment. The upside to California in the winter is every day it's not raining is a great day to get outside, and individual outdoor activities are not part of the shelter in place prohibition.



Nice day in D. C. this past weekend.  Everything was closed, so I headed down to the upscale wharf and fish market for lunch.  Hope the very-lightly-cooked shrimp and attendant bacteria killed any viruses I may have had.



Place was seriously packed with people.  Tough to socially distance, but just barely doable.

Just avoided a trip to DC (Silver Springs, MD, actually) that was converted into a TC 2 days before.  Same story for an upcoming trip that had been scheduled for early April.  Guess I won't see the cherry blossoms.

BC

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - CompSci87 - 03-17-2020

(03-17-2020, 06:36 PM)Mick Wrote:  I'm on a Delta jet back to San Jose from Washington D.C.  I have an N95 mask on, have for the whole flight, did the gloves and Clorox wipes.  We'll see if it works.  I'm 57, diabetic, hypertension, heart failure, the works.  Maybe if I get the coronavirus I'll just explode...

Like the wonderful one-hoss shay?

Walking to the grocery store in Palo Alto today was odd. Quite a few people on the street and everyone was careful to keep their distance. A lot avoided eye contact too, but some at least had a smile as we tried to stay 6 feet apart.

RE: Advice needed. In Hawaii. Should I return to Bay Area? - akiddoc - 03-17-2020

People in DC don't seem to get it. The Bay Area is really shut down from what everyone is saying. I was stuck in my house for three days though...