The On Off Travel Woes Between The USA and The EU

British International Grand Prix Duo Paul & Nikki Alvin-Smith

Making decisions on postponing clinics and constantly searching, sometimes finding and being able to book flights when you work as an international clinician (or even a national one), isn't easy in these pandemic times.

Here in New York, our wonderful Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New Yorkers in general, have done a brilliant job of pulling the state out of the epicenter status of Covid19 by complying with restrictions and stay at home orders, social distancing, wearing masks and taking tests. Most of the rest of the nation's politicians showed a complete lack of foresight when there was a clear playbook for them to follow. I am so very proud of the community of New Yorkers, Upstate and Down - doing what seemed an impossible task and showing discipline over so many months. Lots of people suffered immeasurable losses, both of loved ones and financial turmoil. Many continue and will continue to suffer. That is a sad but inevitable fact.

For my husband Paul and I who earn part of our living by giving dressage clinics, our business was obviously put on a sincere hold during the lockdown quarantine. Our clients have been wonderfully understanding, and nearly 100% are re-booking and we are anxious to get started. 

Paul in Portugal -

So I was excited a few weeks ago when I received an e-blast from British Airways, announcing direct flights from Newark, NJ to Europe were back. New guidelines for travel were issued and seemed well researched and adequate enough and I was prepared to rev up the dressage clinic program and get back to work. 

I researched best routes and plans from more experienced equestrians such as renowned judge Janet Foy, who travels extensively worldwide, to find out best routes to take and how to navigate the European continent on arrival.

Sadly, the actions of the many outside of our state, now have most Americans blacklisted for access to the EU as the border/travel restrictions are lifted there on July 1st, 2020. I am not sure what the word 'most' means. Janet said she was hoping that the EU restrictions would only be imposed on flights from certain US states, but I don't see how this would work. 

The time spent, refunds for flights that needed to be cancelled as a result of the on/off again flight and access issues that have still not been received, and the risks that seemingly are once again spiraling out of control for contagion with Covid19 across this great country, rightfully have anyone with half a brain worried.

Our friends in Europe look with astonishment at how the USA has bungled and continues to bungle the spread of the virus and discharge human life with such abandon. 

In addition to giving clinics we also home produce organically grown hay. During the quarantine period we asked our hay customers to wear a mask ( as did we and as we shall continue to do) and practice social distancing if inside a building when on the property. Particularly while we were helping them load out their hay acquisitions. 

As an agricultural business our hay business was allowed to operate during the lockdown, although understandably many folks did everything possible to avoid the need to restock their supplies so the flow of visitors was much diminished over usual Spring sales. 

Everyone was very good about complying with our requests. I will add the younger generation were especially on point with the program. Our customers included a Covid19 ER nurse from Long Island who had experienced Covid19 firsthand and was currently being tested weekly to ensure her antibody titer remained high enough to allow her to continue working. She was clearly suffering from PTSD and we spoke briefly about how bad things were and had been during the highest infection rates down on Long Island from her perspective. It was sobering to hear a report first hand on the daily trials that our front line medical staff have been subjected to and been required to handle.

Recently an older gentleman from the southern part of Delaware County came to pick up a small load of hay. Despite our request for mask wearing and the fact that my husband was wearing a mask, this customer boldly marched up to shake hands with my husband and proceeded to make very effort to be as close as possible to him without wearing a mask or practicing any social distancing. Needless to say, we will not be offering this customer access again.

Mask wearing and social distancing requirements can and do save lives. These measures also help the economy get back on its feet. It seems that not everyone cares much about others. For example, restaurants and venues have recently been allowed to reopen with certain protocols in place in Dutchess County, NY. I just read a friend's note that, ' many out-of-towners arrived in fancy cars with no masks and total disregard for the rules that business owners had put in place'. This irresponsible behavior can lead to the shut down of these businesses. What are people thinking? The business owners are doing everything they can to keep their doors open and keep their staff employed and safe but some customers are behaving with such selfishness.

I am sure many of you have experienced similar situations. It is beyond belief that so many ignore the science behind wearing a mask and why it is a critical part of our fight against loss of life.

In an early briefing Governor Cuomo said that NOT wearing a mask was an expression of arrogance and disrespect to others. I agree.

The net result of this horrifying naivety is that all businesses will suffer and thus so will the economy overall. 

For us this latest travel ban means we have no choice but to cancel our 2020 clinic schedule that requires international travel. We have also cancelled our FL, SC, NC, VT, and OH clinics due to the high rate of infection in those states.

The next issue will clearly be the requirement for vaccination to travel, to attend school/college. Many will balk at a new vaccine, and I don't blame them. But without mass vaccination there will be as Dr Fauci states, no herd immunity.

I do not agree with a mandatory vaccine program. But in these times, if you want to travel it's likely to be mandated. We'll just have to wait and see.

Meantime, please wear a mask. Do it for others. Life is not all about you - take some responsibility and do your part to slow the spread and let us ALL get back to business.