The Isolated States of America

"Don't shake hands, don't hug, stay six feet away from each other, and stay the heck out of our state. That is our new welcome mat. Treat each other like they are radioactive, and if they arrive at state border, treat them like they are lepers." 

Back in the day, when I was working with a business partner in the midlands of the UK, one of the engineers I worked with, often commented about America. "You know, you chaps have it so good over there. Here, we live on a very large island. Soon, we can drive, but soon we run out of road, and come to an ocean. Whenever I have some extra time while visiting in America, I rent a car and just drive. From state to state, where no visa is required when you cross a state line."

I thought about my old English friend the other day. When New York added Minnesota to its list of "stay away" states. Whereas, if someone wanted to travel from Minnesota to New York (please, don't ask why), New York now requires a two week self quarantine when you arrive there. Why? Cuomo thinks people from Minnesota are dirty and infected. Like they are not?

There are many states right now, I have no desire to visit. States which are (or have been), hot spots. And Cuomo has some REAL STONES to put us on his isolation list. For a while, New York City was THE HOT SPOT OF THE WORLD! Like New York City proper has had almost 23,000 deaths, and the entire state of Minnesota has had just over 1,500. So, stuff it New York! Nobody wants to visit your high tax, highly infected state anyhow!

Here we are, still a bit hunkered down. Delta airlines just reported their recovery from last spring's dearth of airline travel, is started to fizzle. Translation: Nobody wants to go fly anywhere, especially in the straight jacket discomfort that airlines now offer. How about driving then? Well, if you drive to another state, you need to be concerned about the hotel accommodations. How well have they cleaned your room? Sanitized? How about places to eat? Are they open? 

Just this other day, I read an article saying if you need to do some personal business, the worst place to do it is in a public restroom with many stalls. Turns out, that is a very good breeding ground for germs and viruses. So when you are traveling, overnights may be a problem, eating may be a problem, and even pooping may be a problem. What does that leave? Stay-cations. Having a chance to spend even more time at home. AHHHHH!!!!!

In any event, our United States of America has now become the Isolated States of America. Don't shake hands, don't hug, stay six feet away from each other, and stay the heck out of our state. That is our new welcome mat. Treat each other like they are radioactive, and if they arrive at state border, treat them like they are lepers. 

Have to go now. I have a full day planned of staying put. My wife have traded in our "traveler" moniker for a new one - "home bodies". We have become our parents.