COVID-19 Page 20

On the Sunday, December 13th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the new defense bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives this week contains a signature item from Sacramento Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, which was placed inside the bill. The defense spending bill could still be vetoed by President Trump. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Matsui in April of 2017. It would mandate a doctor on every cruise ship, and video cameras in public areas. Our Smarter Traveler segment featured two items. There is a new web site matching people who want one-way car rentals. Those can be expensive, but this is a way of reducing the cost. So far, it's only in Canada, but it's coming to the US soon. What do you do when you sit down on the airplane on your holiday trip and your seat mate isn't wearing a mask or isn't wearing it properly? What's the etiquette/protocol in that situation? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra has taken their annual holiday show online this year. Tom has an update on how you can get virtual tickets to this year's show. Is it ethical to sell travel during the pandemic? We asked Chris Elliott and he answered us. Then we asked Gwen Duncan, The Travel Guys Travel Advisor, about that issue and others weighing on her and her staff.

On the Sunday, December 6th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, we shared an update on emotional support animals on airplanes. Perhaps the tiniest bit of sanity is returning to the issue. Airbnb is about to go public, perhaps at a higher price than recently anticipated. Mark shared his thoughts on the stock. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn't see the northern boarder open anytime in the next 2-3 months due to the high number of Covid cases across the United States. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talked about "travel bubbles" being created by countries and resorts. How are they working? We also update "dining bubbles," the latest thing in outdoor dining. Clayton Whitehead joins us to talk about family travel during the upcoming holidays. He relates a personal story I'm certain many of us can relate to. Consumer advocate Chris Elliott is on hand in the final segment to talk about the major airlines. We gave them $19 billion in bailout funds and they are back for more. Chris suggests we look at what we got for the first $19 billion, and updates us on wordsmithing by the airlines in Washington, DC, and what it might mean to consumers. T’was a month before Christmas T’was a month before Christmas, And all through the town,People wore masks,That covered their frown. The frown had begunWay back in the Spring,When a global pandemicChanged everything. They called it corona,But unlike the beer,It didn’t bring good times,It didn’t bring cheer. Contagious and deadly,This virus spread fast,Like a wildfire that startsWhen fueled by gas. Airplanes were grounded,Travel was banned.Borders were closedAcross air, sea and land. As the world entered lockdownTo flatten the curve,The economy halted,And folks lost their nerve. From March to JulyWe rode the first wave,People stayed home,They tried to behave. When summer emergedThe lockdown was lifted.But away from caution,Many folks drifted. Now it’s NovemberAnd cases are spiking,Wave two has arrived,Much to our disliking. Frontline workers,Doctors and nurses,Try to save people,From riding in hearses. This virus is awful,This COVID-19.There isn’t a cure.Too early for vaccine. It’s true that this yearHas had sadness a plenty,We’ll never forgetThe year 2020. And just ‘round the corner -The holiday season,But why be merry?Is there even one reason?To decorate the houseAnd put up the tree,When no one will see it,No-one but me. But outside my windowThe snow gently falls,And I think to myself,Let’s deck the halls!So, I gather the ribbon,The garland and bows,As I play those old carols,My happiness grows. Christmas isn’t cancelledAnd neither is hope. If we lean on each other,I know we can cope.

On the Sunday, November 29th, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, there’s trouble in paradise once again as the island of Kauai pulls out of the pre-arrival testing program, effective December 2nd. U.S. airlines are going to play a big role in vaccine distribution. United and American both announced this past week they are positioning planes in preparation. We have also posted A Tribute to Travel Hero Alex Trebek on our site. If you were a fan of the late Jeopardy! host, you may already know he loved to travel and was quite a philanthropist away from home. Mark went to The Travel Guys mailbag and answered a host of your questions. You can find the submission form on this page and send in your question to be answered on a future show. (Mark personally answers as many questions as he can by return email.) Covid has caused problems for many restaurants. Some of those establishments serve travelers. Many are destinations themselves. But many of them are in trouble because of the virus. Our guest is Eric Wolf, Founder and Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association. We ask Eric for his take and how the landscape might look when the virus is no longer a factor.

On the Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Delta Airlines has decided to block the middle seats through March of next year. No other carrier has committed to the practice past December and most have either already abandoned the middle seat block or will do so in the coming weeks. This gives Delta a significant advantage in what could be a pretty bleak first quarter for travel. The folks who run the Rocky Mountaineer trains in Canada have announced a new overnight excursion between Denver and Moab with an overnight in Glenwood Springs. A "preview season" of 40 departures is scheduled to commence in August with fares starting at $1250.00 p.p./dbl.occ. Mark isn't used to being "home for the holidays," and in a special Just One Man's Opinion he shares his thoughts and tips for those of you who might have a short automobile journey this Thanksgiving week. There's also a Smarter Traveler Hawaii update and a cute story about how some Irish blokes got around the closing of the local pubs. Santa Claus will be coming to town soon. You can find him on the Magical Christmas Train. We have all the details. We'll update you on the annual wreath laying project at the Sacramento Valley Cemetery and tell you how you can help. Tom interviews rock-and-roll legend Jessie Colin Young and talks about his new album Troubadour.