Airline workers have lower rates of COVID-19 than the general population
and airline CEOs say it's proof that flying is safe by David Slotnick
Flight attendants and other airline workers have lower rates of COVID-19 than the general population, despite spending time in transit and in small, enclosed spaces.
The data suggest that the various safety protocols airlines have adopted during the coronavirus pandemic are effective, according to airline executives and labor groups.
However, that alone likely won't be enough to convince people to start traveling again.
The coronavirus spreads when people are in close quarters for extended periods of time, breathing the same air with little space between them. So you might expect airplanes to be the perfect environment for the transmission.
But some surprising data from airline workers show that is not the case. In fact, flight attendants and other airline workers have had a lower incidence of COVID-19 than the general population.
According to airline executives and union leaders, that's a sign that the safety measures airlines are taking on airplanes are having an effect.
"At United, but also at our large competitors, our flight attendants have lower COVID infection rates than the general population, which is one of multiple data points that speaks to the safety on board airplanes," Scott Kirby, the CEO of United, said on Wednesday at a forum hosted by Politico.
"If the experience of flying was not safe, you'd expect our people to get sick," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on Thursday, speaking at the SAP Concur forum. "We track the health of our people. Our people are meaningfully less infected than the general population."
American Airlines President Robert Isom made the same claim at a conference a week ago, adding that customer-facing employees had the lowest rates.
"The actions we have taken to ensure the safety and well-being of our team and customers are working," Isom said.
The data backs that conclusion. A little over 1,000 flight attendants nationwide have tested positive for COVID-19, according to data provided by the Association of Flight Attendants (the number includes their members, as well as members of other unions and nonunionized workers).
That's out of about 122,000 people who were employed as flight attendants in the US as of the end of 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or a 0.8% incidence.
There have been a total of 6.6 million confirmed cases in the US, according to data compiled by The New York Times. Out of a population of about 330 million, that's a 2% incidence.
"I really want to applaud our airlines and our airports who have really stepped up," Sara Nelson, the president of the AFA, said at the Politico forum. "I think all of that is evidence that the policies that have been put in place and the practices that have been put in place have helped to really decrease the risk of spreading coronavirus and in a lot of ways really control it in air travel better than on almost any other place in our communities."
America’s Most Surreal Landscapes Sahara-like sand dunes. Ancient Pueblo civilizations. Emerald green grottos. Get ready to have your mind blown.
By Chelsea Bengier
Badwater Basin, California
As the largest national park in the lower 48 states, Death Valley has plenty of eye-opening sights, including flowing waterfalls, canyons, badlands, craters and sand dunes. But the most striking feature? The Badwater Basin‘s salt pans. Billions of crystals form a surreal polygonal pattern, and the rugged Black Mountains loom in the distance.
Great Sand Dunes, Colorado
Vail’s snowy trails aren’t the only slopes you can ride down in Colorado. Between the San Juan Mountains and the Sangre de Cristos, these sand dunes stretch across 30 square miles of the state’s southern San Luis Valley. Hike the biggest dunes in North America (up to 750 feet tall!), then go sandboarding down the steep hills. Serious bragging rights.
Whiteface Mountain, New York
The Stairway Ridge Trail in upstate New York is a stone footpath surrounded by verdant hills. Although the climb is strenuous, there’s a reward at the summit: a granite castle with 360-degree views of the lakes and Adirondacks. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Vermont and Canada.
Mesa Verde, Colorado
We bet you can’t guess how old this World Heritage Site is. Built by the Ancestral Pueblo people, Mesa Verde’s sandstone kivas date back to AD 600. Today, the national park has 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. Tour the largest edifice, the Cliff Palace, then walk the Petroglyph Point trail to see ancient drawings etched into the rocks.
Fly Geyser, Nevada
Not many people know about this rainbow-colored, alien-esque attraction, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a detour. Located on private property in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the man-made geyser spews water five feet in the air. Spot it on a drive-by along State Route 34.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
Stretching across 41,170 acres in northwest New Mexico, these badlands have a seriously eerie vibe. When the sun sets, shadows sweep over the strange spires and hoodoos. The stark landscape — which is now part Navajo territory — was once a sea, but as the water disappeared over time, it left a 1,400-foot-thick layer of mudstone, shale and coal that’s been untouched for more than 50 million years. It’s no wonder so many dinosaur fossils have been found here.
Hamilton Pool Preserve, Texas
Don’t let the above picture fool you; this isn’t a Mexican cenote. Just 23 miles west of Austin, there’s an emerald grotto where 50-foot waterfalls flow from a limestone overhang and splash into the oasis below. Walk around the pool and marvel up at the stalactites, before taking a dip in the natural spring.
There's something profoundly alluring about an abandoned tunnel. Upon entering, you can't but help but wonder about its original purpose and the history that's contained in its reinforced walls. Problem is, there are very few of these places that are safe to explore.
Fortunately, Ontario is home to one of the most remarkable tunnel destinations in North America.
The Brockville Railway Tunnel, originally built between 1854 and 1860, was the first of its kind in Canada. It actually pre-dates the country's more celebrated western tunnels laid out for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
After decades of neglect and deterioration, it was miraculously restored as a pedestrian passageway that's proving a major tourist draw for the small town east of Kingston on the St. Lawrence River.
More Stories of Bad Customer Service in Las Vegas- Due toCovid 19- Chapman Dodge, Chrysler Jeep on Sahara will not allow you to test drive due to Covid 19. Please-who's going to buy a car without test driving it? I guess they don't need to sell cars at this time, from my friend Sharon who attempted to buy a car yesterday.
RHarvest Hosts currently has over 1643+ Hosts (including 352 golf courses) located in all of the lower 48 US states, Canada, Alaska and Baja California.
Heading out on the open road? Driving rather than flying? Check out this company-Harvest Hosts. Sign up for their membership and you will be able to stay overnight at 1291+ wineries, golf courses, breweries, farms and more for self-contained RV's for free.
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Click on the above link and you will get an additional 15% off the annual membership fee $79 for regular plan $129 + golf courses. Plus, I will receive a very small commission
I already have one friend Sue L, who is utilizing this every weekend and she is loving it.
Watch A Taste of Las Vegas-New Restaurants Added
The holidays are one of my favorite times of year. There’s nothing like having a white Christmas then partying it up on New Year’s Eve.
There are so many cool and interesting traditions around the world, and it’s such a treat to take part in the different experiences.
Austria
The Christmas markets of Europe are magical. With the aroma of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine filling the air under sparkling lights, this is definitely a bucket list experience.
While the entire continent is full of outdoor Christmas markets, there is nowhere that captures the spirit of the holidays like Austria. From Vienna to Salzburg, this region is a dream Christmas destination. The stunning markets are packed with homemade delicacies and one-of-a-kind trinkets.
It’s so easy to get around Western Europe by train. To explore Austria from any other European country, I recommend checking out the Eurail pass. A train pass will let you maximize your time (and your budget) in Europe to see as much as possible. If you’re under twenty-seven years of age, be sure to look into the youth deals too.
Rio de Janeiro
Ditch the winter jacket, and ring in the new year sipping caipirinhas at Copacabana beach. With afternoon temps nearing ninety degrees F, December is actually the warmest month of the year in Brazil, so you can soak in the sun while you celebrate.
Rio de Janeiro has one of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world, and Brazilians party it up like no one else. Watch the fireworks over the South Atlantic for a New Year’s Eve that you will always remember.
Peru
Years ago, I spent a fun Christmas in Peru. I stayed with a family in Cusco, and it was a wonderful opportunity to experience a traditional holiday in the Andes Mountains. The whole city was bursting with fireworks, and it was breathtaking.
And you’ll want to stick around!
Much of the Andean region of Peru celebrates Epiphany more than Christmas. Rather than Santa Claus coming on Christmas Eve, the three wise men bring gifts for kids on January 6.
Iceland
Make it a white Christmas! The Northern Lights are at their brightest and best during the winter. While it is definitely cold (come ready for temps below zero), it is so worth it. Bundle up for some of the most amazing landscapes and sights of the year.
Iceland is one of my fave destinations year-round. From diving to climbing to road tripping around the island, it’s the prime adventurer’s getaway.
And you have to check out all of Iceland’s fascinating Christmas traditions — meet the thirteen Icelandic Santa Clauses, or go for a Christmas dip in the Blue Lagoon. Whatever your Nordic adventure, make sure that you get out of the city and explore!
New York City
Few places are as beautiful at Christmas as NYC. My first trip to the Big Apple was over the holiday season, and I completely fell in love with this place.
Temps hover between zero and ten degrees, so bundle up. Go ice skating in Central Park, see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and go on the ultimate Christmas shopping trip.
Of course, you’ll want to stick around for the New Year’s Eve traditional countdown in Time’s Square, or party the night away with some of the best nightlight on the planet.
https://theblondeabroad.com/5-destinations-to-visit-this-holiday-season/
Being home for 6 months on a leave from Southwest is giving me more time to sit down and write. I am writing my blog now twice a week-never had time for it before. I'm doing new videos for YouTube. I really enjoy doing these videos. i may not be the best promoter going, but I am enthusiastic about what I am promoting. I've expanded my YouTube Videos from just travel (though this is what I truly want to write about), to Bedtime Stories for Adults, Keto Cooking with Val-easy recipes to try and eat, to A Taste of Las Vegas, promoting Las Vegas Restaurants. And of course my Ramblings With Val-a place for me to vent or to pontificate.
Today life is good. It's still hard having this unconstitutional mask mandate by Govenor Sisolak. I think the brunt of Covid 19 is over for the season or on November 4th after election day-but that's just my opinion. I'm hoping starting Nov 4th, that life will return to the "Old Normal". Anyway, today life is good. The sun is shining, the weather in Las Vegas is less than 100F (for a local, that's nice weather), my health is good and I have a roof over my head. Plenty to be thankful for.
I'm keeping busy with my meetups. Different restaurants or activities-twice a week or until I start traveling again. If you live in Las Vegas, join my meetups-meet new people, make new friends. I am a very lucky woman. I hope you enjoy this blog, until next time.
Val
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