Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299 
|
Post by Mystie on Dec 7, 2020 2:14:37 GMT
--help me brainstorm my precautions, please.
My dad has been very ill for months, but has dramatically declined in the past week or so. He and my mom live in Ohio, I live in Virginia. It's impossible to know how much time he has left, maybe a couple months, maybe a couple weeks, who knows. He's on hospice at home.
I feel I should make a very brief trip up to say goodbye. It takes a full day to make the drive, so I would drive up, spend the evening with them, spend all of the next day with them, and then leave early the following morning. I would spend both nights in a nearby hotel because I need the space for my own mental health. My parents' house is small.
I've had cancer this year and I'm also diabetic. My husband and I have been quite careful ever since March; this trip will be a huge step out of my bubble.
Because of the timing of my own medical appointments and the upcoming holidays, I only have a small window where I feel it would be safe to go. Depending on how Dad seems to be doing by the end of this week, I'd either drive up Fri the 11th and come back Sun the 13th, or if he seems stable, I'd drive up Mon the 14th and come back Wed the 16th. I've made reservations for both and can easily cancel the first. I'd prefer to do the Monday trip for less traffic and fewer people breathing all over the rest stop bathrooms, but I'll just have to see.
I would pack my own food and only stop for gas and bathroom (usually have to stop for gas twice and toilet 3x). I travel the PA turnpike for about half the trip and am trying to figure out if I can avoid having to stop at any of the rest stops along there. Probably not, unfortunately.
I would only be either at the hotel or at my parents' home and am hoping I will only see them and possibly my sister, who I would distance from. (She's also caregiving for my dad so it would be hard to avoid her.) All other family members I'd ask to stay away if possible. I'd wear a mask at my folks' as much as I could, and distance from them as much as I could. I honestly have no idea if or how that would work.
I'd wear a mask going and coming into the hotel, wipe down surfaces in my room, and I was thinking about requesting no maid service since I'll only be there two nights. That way I'd be the only person in the room while I'm there.
My area of Virginia is in pretty good shape, covid-wise, right now. Ohio is not. I'm terrified to go, but I feel like I should. What precautions have I not thought of? If you think I'm crazy to go, I'm open to hearing that, too. I'm beside myself right now, honestly. I'd say I can't believe all this is happening at once, but at this point in 2020, it's all too easy to believe.
|
|
|
|
Post by mom on Dec 7, 2020 2:17:29 GMT
Do you have your own Lysol to spray things down? (IF not, message me and I have a brand new can I will mail you).
I'd do no maid service and pack my own food for travel (even if its only for the drive down) so I could minimize food stops. I'd also take gloves.
|
|
|
|
Post by manda on Dec 7, 2020 2:21:01 GMT
It sounds like you have things covered.
My fiancé works with the public as a first responder and has since this began. Hasn’t gotten COVID despite being around people diagnosed with it. He swears the key is washing hands and not touching face.
We traveled out of state (not to see family) and have taken less precautions than you and feel safe (as can be). The hotel we are in is not offering many in room services and masks are required everywhere.
I’m so sorry about your dad.
|
|
|
|
Post by hop2 on Dec 7, 2020 2:21:30 GMT
Hugs
Take the sooner trip. Wash water your mask and spray down your Hotel room.
I’m sorry your having to deal with this
|
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Dec 7, 2020 2:21:45 GMT
Sanitizer, wipes and spray.
Since you are driving you can take your own pillow and even a set of sheets to throw on top of the bed.
Wipe anything you will touch down. Use wipes to hold the gas pump and then sanitze your hands after
Mask up
|
|
Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,299
|
Post by Mystie on Dec 7, 2020 2:23:04 GMT
Do you have your own Lysol to spray things down? (IF not, message me and I have a brand new can I will mail you). I'd do no maid service and pack my own food for travel (even if its only for the drive down) so I could minimize food stops. I'd also take gloves. You're sweet. Yes, I have spray and wipes both. Definitely taking gloves. |
|
|
|
Post by destined2bmom on Dec 7, 2020 2:23:38 GMT
I am really sorry Mystie. Bring a bottle of Lysol spray to spray your room, car and your parents home. Make sure to spray it before entering the elevator. Ride the elevator alone. If the door opens and there are people on it; wait for the next one. Bring Clorox wipes and wear gloves to pump the gas and using the rest stop bathrooms. Change the gloves that you pump the gas with to a new pair to use the bathroom. |
|
|
|
Post by jenjie on Dec 7, 2020 2:24:19 GMT
Mystie I’ve been wondering how your parents were doing. I’m so sorry to hear this. It sounds like you’re taking all the precautions. Praying safety and a good visit. I’m sorry it needs to be under these restrictions.
|
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Dec 7, 2020 2:25:11 GMT
Yes, go. You’ll be glad you did. Take care. Quarantine when you get home. Love you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Crack-a-lackin on Dec 7, 2020 2:29:02 GMT
I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m extremely cautious, and I would still make this trip. It sounds like you’ve planned it out well. A few other things I would bring are bedding, extra clothes to change more often , like when you get back to the hotel in the evening.
|
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Dec 7, 2020 2:29:51 GMT
For me your precautions would be more than enough but you’re far higher risk so a couple things I though of:
I’d actually lean towards using the rest stops. They’re likely cleaned more frequently than say a gas station. They also don’t have as many touch points (rarely doors going in the restroom, probably auto open main doors, etc). Carry napkins in your pocket in case you do have to touch a door, use tp on the stall door lock. Carry very little into the rest room....just your key, no purse no coat.
Take gloves for use at the gas pump. Use gloved hand to touch the pump and ungloved hand to touch your credit card.
Of course have hand sanitizer in your car.
|
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Dec 7, 2020 2:36:27 GMT
We did a trip that involved a hotel stay. Things we did:
Masks were worn from our car to our hotel room, even though our room was the first room when you came in our entrance.
We did not do maid service. We just asked for enough towels for the length of our stay.
Packed our own snacks and drinks so we do not need to use the vending machine.
I brought a gallon size ziploc bag to put our dirty masks in. We each have about 20 masks so I brought them all along so after each stop or walk to our room that mask went in to the dirty bag. I also had a box of disposable masks as backup.
Brought plenty of wipes, sanitizers and even disposable gloves.
When choosing restroom stops we did not opt for convenience and stop at the first rest area or gas station. We went to ones that were a little more out of the way thinking that not as many people stop at ones out of the way.
Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I was worried that all of this was going to put a damper on everything but it didn’t.
|
|
|
|
Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Dec 7, 2020 2:39:29 GMT
In your situation, I think I would go too! You've thought of a lot of things, and gotten lots of good ideas here, but I would add -
take a box of gallon size zip lock freezer bags to put the TV remote control into it so you don't have to touch the remote (supposedly the dirtiest thing in a hotel room) - , pick up the remote control for TV in hotel through the outside of the bag (put your hand on outside of bag and turn it inside out enough that the inside of the bag is touching remote - pull up the bag around remote and seal. You should be able to change channels through the bag.
You may find other uses for the bags, such as gas pumps, doors (in place of gloves if you are running short)
Best wishes for a safe trip and sweet family time! (((Hugs)))
|
|
|
|
Post by calgaryscrapper on Dec 7, 2020 2:40:35 GMT
Ask the hotel to take extra precautions with your room. I believe they will sometimes let guests have a room that has been sitting empty for three or more days. Request no maid service. Main floor room so you don’t have to use the stairs or elevator. Carry wipes and a disposable bag. Carry disposable gloves. Wipe door handle of your room and surfaces. Bring your own cup to drink out of. When filling your car wear disposable gloves. Multiple disposable masks. Luggage in the bath tub (my neighbour used to do this) and sanitize it first. Don’t drink much when travelling to minimize washroom breaks. I wonder if you can purchase those paper liners for toilets from a medical supply store.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 3, 2024 16:15:45 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 2:43:39 GMT
This is all really good advice. I also had to travel due to my mother's health. I would say add a face shield too, in addition to a mask. If you need one, please PM me and I can stick one in the mail. As you are driving, I agree, bring your own bedding to the hotel, put your own sheet down over theirs, your own pillow, etc...
When you get home, put everything you cannot wash in a garbage bag in the garage. Let it stay there several days, and wash everything else. (((hugs)))
|
|
gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
|
Post by gsquaredmom on Dec 7, 2020 2:45:37 GMT
Double mask. Make sure it’s tight to your face.
Don’t carry your purse into the restroom.
Cut time in restrooms by using gloves from the time you leave your car until you are back to your car. If you don’t stand at a sink to wash your hands, you will cut time in a closed area way down. In fact, if the rest area has an outhouse, use that. When you take off the gloves, peel them off inside out and drop in a waste can. Use hand sanitizer or a travel wipe that you already have in your pocket.
Air out the hotel room when you get in. Open windows, clean surfaces, bring your own pillow.
I wish you the best.
|
|
|
|
Post by Really Red on Dec 7, 2020 2:51:18 GMT
I think you’re doing the right thing. I agree with what everybody wrote, particularly about Going to out of the way rest area stops. I had to travel to get my daughter in New York City and I am also in Virginia. I scoped out all the rest stops in advance. I ended up being able to go 6 1/2 hours without a bathroom break because I did not have one drop of water. I use chewing gum to keep my mouth wet. Definitely wipe down everything. I think hotels are being super careful because they need the guests and they cannot afford to have anything come back on them, plus, Covid does not appear to stay on surfaces very long.
I was terrified to go on my trip. It was about 1 million times better than I thought it would be. I felt very safe. I hope you feel the same way. I’m sorry about your dad.
|
|
Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
Post by Loydene on Dec 7, 2020 2:55:47 GMT
When we moved across country - 2 day drive - we took gloves for gas stations. Also for the bathrooms - with wipes and sprays. Hand sanitizer, of course. Contrary to what someone said above - we chose Love's or Flying J gas stations. We've always found them to be very clean, so with our extra precautions, we felt pretty comfortable overall.
|
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Dec 7, 2020 3:22:52 GMT
I would also suggest a face shield. It is manageable when you get used to it. They gave it me at PT and I still wore a mask.
Your plans sound good. Be safe.
|
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Dec 7, 2020 3:51:11 GMT
Sounds like you have it covered.
I wish you a safe journey and best wishes seeing your family.
|
|
my3freaks
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,206
Location: NH girl living in Colorado
|
Post by my3freaks on Dec 7, 2020 4:23:17 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.  I lost my dad last year, and I would not hesitate to go and spend as much time as you can with him. I am grateful I was able to fly out within 12 hours of talking to my mom when my dad went in the hospital (we expected him to recover, his death 10 days later was pretty unexpected). I ended up staying with my mother for 2 months. This wasn't during a pandemic, but I would not hesitate to go again, no matter what is going on. It's about 8.5 hours to drive there or 1.5 hour flight. I would have drove if I needed to. I have flown up once during the pandemic to spend a week with my mom (back in June) and I saw my brother, sister in law and niece while I was there. Thankfully, the airports weren't too bad, Southwest kept everyone distanced pretty well and required masks. I am sure your parents will be very happy to have you come visit. Have a safe trip, I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts. |
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Dec 7, 2020 5:15:05 GMT
We were surprised how comfortable we were at the hotel when we traveled a few months ago. Occupancy was incredibly low. They were alternating floors to maximize time between guests to give extra time for sanitizing. I hope all goes smoothly. So sorry your family is going through this during a pandemic, it's hard enough in normal times.
|
|
|
|
Post by holly on Dec 7, 2020 5:32:16 GMT
I’ve had to travel a few times since March, including by plane. All the hotels we stayed in didn’t offer service while there. If you needed fresh towels or other amenities you had to request them and they brought them to you, contact less. Masks were required in all areas of the hotel. I think some hotels have a three day waiting period between guests as well. For us we really didn’t take any extra precautions as far as sanitizing everything. Just washed our hands as needed. I’ve yet to wear gloves any wear for anything, again I wash my hands or sanitize after doing a chore that I think may be dirty, such as pumping gas. I am more worried about it being in the air than on surfaces at this point.
One of my trips was to visit my brother who is battling late stage lung cancer, I don’t know if I’ll see him alive again, I had to go. I hope you get peace seeing your Dad.
|
|
|
|
Post by KiwiJo on Dec 7, 2020 5:39:28 GMT
I’m so sorry for you and your family facing this.
I have 3 questions for you....
Given that you are at increased risk of developing a Covid-19 infection because of your recent cancer (so you are less likely to brush off a ‘passing’ contact with the virus, than others might do):-
- how would you feel if you do contract the virus at, for example, a gas stop or the hotel and pass it on to your Dad?
- how would you feel if you gave it to your Mom at this difficult time?
- would your Dad want you to take the risk?
Not an easy decision for sure, and one where there is no right answer.
|
|
cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,375
|
Post by cycworker on Dec 7, 2020 6:32:41 GMT
So sorry you're facing this, Mystie - no advice; you've thought of everything I would have suggested. |
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Dec 7, 2020 10:24:38 GMT
Ugh, traveling along that PA Turnpike!  I did it for years between NOVA and Pittsburgh before my father died and we were able to move my mom here to NOVA. You might find the rest stops to be not as bad as you're thinking.... one reason is that they're pretty big and the bathrooms don't have doors to open. I don't know what the mask policy is in PA though...that could make a difference. If they're crowded you might be better off getting off the Turnpike and stopping at an ordinary gas station/convenience store that's not crowded. Of course that adds time to the trip. Don't get dependent on gloves for anything.... You cannot catch covid through your skin and gloves give people a false sense of security. You don't need them for pumping gas, just be sure to use hand sanitizer when you're finished, and wipe down whatever you touched before you got to the hand sanitizer. But even more important that all that is DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE until you can wash your hands well. If you got back in your car and didn't use sanitizer, wipes, or anything, you would not catch covid -- IF you didn't touch your face (eyes, nose, etc.) I have a friend who stayed at hotels to and from Minnesota (from NOVA) when her mother died. She said they felt totally comfortable there because they weren't crowded. She took sanitizer and spray with her and did all the hard surfaces -- light switches, faucets, etc. She said that was probably overkill because the hotels were rotating rooms so that each room sat empty for three days after someone left, but I don't know if they're still doing that. Take your own food for the drive and for the hotel. If you're a coffee drinker I'd take my own coffee pot also and not depend on the teeny tiny one that they offer in hotel rooms. lol. One of those makes enough coffee for maybe my first gulp.  The most important thing I think is to stay far enough away from anyone, especially anyone not wearing a mask. Up here in NOVA everyone wears one so I'm not sure what it's like to be around people who don't. But run away quickly if you see anyone not wearing one. Good luck with the drive! I'm sorry about your dad.  Never a good time for that, but this is an even worse time. |
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Dec 7, 2020 11:18:48 GMT
This summer, out numbers in Belgium were low and we were able to do some tourist stuff that was outdoors or with timed tickets. One thing that we did was to not eat around others. I also had a hand washing station in the car. A gallon jug of water, soap, and paper towels. Hand sanitizer is good, but studies show that soap and water are almost twice as effective.
When I'm running errands, if I have to open my car door with dirty hands I do so on the passenger side. I use hand sanitizer and then get my soap and water out (or have the soap and water on the passenger side. That way, when I get in the car, my driver's side area is safe for me. I can eat, drink, put on lip balm, and touch my face if needed. Eight to ten hours is a long time to without drinking much as a diabetic--I would worry about a UTI. I would drink less, but still use the restrooms. You can't catch Covid through your skin, but wash your hands with soap and water both after using the restroom and before getting back into your car.
I would urge you to wear a mask around your parents. You have been careful, but if hospice workers are coming into the house they may be ill or be carriers. They often see multiple patients a day and those other ill patients may be seeing loved ones, the workers themselves have family, ...
I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this additional complication at this time.
|
|
|
|
Post by christine58 on Dec 7, 2020 12:24:17 GMT
Don't get dependent on gloves for anything.... You cannot catch covid through your skin and gloves give people a false sense of security. You don't need them for pumping gas, just be sure to use hand sanitizer when you're finished, and wipe down whatever you touched before you got to the hand sanitizer. But even more important that all that is DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE until you can wash your hands well. If you got back in your car and didn't use sanitizer, wipes, or anything, you would not catch covid -- IF you didn't touch your face (eyes, nose, etc.) THIS!!! I think this needs to be repeated over and over and over. You also can't catch it from bedding or cereal boxes etc. |
|
MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,538
|
Post by MerryMom on Dec 7, 2020 12:32:22 GMT
Bring multiple throwaway masks and switch daily.
|
|
|
|
Post by supersoda on Dec 7, 2020 12:49:30 GMT
When I’ve needed to travel I’ve stayed in Hilton-branded hotels that have the “digital key” feature. You can check in through the Hilton app and then use your phone to access the building and your room so that you don’t have to interact with desk staff.
Most of the time you can also choose your room. I pick a room on the first or second floor and get a room near an exit that is not the front door. That way I don’t have to use an elevator and minimize the number of other guests I come into contact with. I wipe down everything, remove the top layer of bedding, and use my own pillows.
I stick with the business class hotels—I don’t want a nicer hotel with 15 floors and a long elevator ride. Most already provide the option to skip maid service.
For gas and bathroom stops I’ve found more rural is usually better for less crowding, but leave plenty of time before your stop in case the first place you try is too crowded and you need to roll on by. I like McDonalds for bathrooms because they usually have a door right by the bathrooms that you can run in and out of to avoid most people. The caveat here is that many restaurants don’t have their dining rooms open so that doesn’t always work.
You could also consider a portable HEPA machine for the hotel and your parents’ house. I’ve read some articles that say these can help.
Take care. I’m sorry that you have so much to deal with in such difficult times.
|
|
I did it for years between NOVA and Pittsburgh before my father died and we were able to move my mom here to NOVA. 
Never a good time for that, but this is an even worse time. 
