Just got a responsible email from Amtrak regarding COVID-19

[Pacifist Patriot]

Earlier today, I had to cancel a bus ticket for my son's return to FSU after Spring Break next week as the university is closing for three weeks. I got a 70% refund. I appreciate Amtrak's actions, especially waiving change fees for the next six weeks or so. It's nice to see a travel company at least communicating and trying to do something proactive for their customers that undoubtedly is raising their costs and hitting their bottom line.

A message from Amtrak regarding the Coronavirus

The safety of our customers and employees is Amtrak's top priority. We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are taking action based on guidance from public health experts. In order to maintain a safe environment and address customer concerns, we are taking measures including:

• Enhanced cleaning protocols. We have increased the frequency of cleaning service on our trains and at our stations.
• Additional antibacterial products. We have increased the quantity of sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available for customers and employees throughout our trains and stations.
• No change fees on bookings made through April 30, 2020. We are waiving change fees so you can book travel on Amtrak® with confidence, knowing you have the flexibility to change your plans.

We have temporarily suspended three trains that operate between New York and Washington (Trains 2401, 2402, 2403) due to lower demand and additional changes to our schedule are under consideration. Amtrak continues to operate 300 daily trains, including more than 100 daily trains on the Northeast Corridor and continues to serve all of our stations. If schedules are modified for any existing reservation, we will contact you to provide an update.

We will continue to respond to the latest on COVID‑19 with customer and employee safety top of mind. Please visit this page for further information on our efforts, which we will continually update. For additional information about the Coronavirus, visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website. As always, we will strive to create a safe and enjoyable experience for your Amtrak journey. Thank you for being an Amtrak customer.

Sincerely,
Roger Harris
Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer

[Dem2theMax]

1. Amazing how companies are out in front of the idiot running our country.

I should make that more clear. He's running our country into the ground.

Anyway, I've had emails from Lowe's, and our local Center for the Arts. It's a very large facility that holds all kinds of musical events, comedy acts, you name it.

They both explained exactly what Amtrak said. And I'm glad they are letting us know that they are taking this seriously.

I fully expect to hear from a lot of other companies who are being very proactive.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. Does feel rather weird that corporations are being more responsible than government.

Is this a first in human history?

[Dem2theMax]

3. I'm pretty sure that they are hurting for business.

They have to let us know they are doing everything they can to keep us safe.

I really appreciated getting the notices.

It's the first time in history that I can remember. Cannot believe we are going through this.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. I feel like I'm living at about the 22nd minute of an apocalyptic movie, but...

haven't figured out yet who the hero/ine is.

[Dem2theMax]

5. Isn't that the truth?

I remember hearing something, either online or on the TV, and an epidemiologist was saying this could go on for 12 months. I stand at the sink washing my hands, thinking, 12 months?

I picture people giving up and walking out into the street, looking for someone who is actively infected, and asking to be spit upon, just so they can get it over with.

If we had an actual President in charge, I wouldn't be feeling this way.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. I may already be there.

My teenager was sick a week and a half ago. A typical 48 hour bug, but ticked all the symptom boxes. We were all joking about it, but half wishing that was it so we could get it over with. This waiting to see how it unfolds is like waiting for a hurricane but even slower!

[Dem2theMax]

7. Had to recharge the phone battery. I surely hope you aren't there.

I'm wondering myself. I get an upper respiratory infection about three or four times a year, and it's all because I take Enbrel. But I haven't taken Enbrel for a few weeks because I may need to have surgery. And I have an upper respiratory infection. And the strange thing is, I'm running a fever. That part never happens.

So right now I am staying at home, drinking lots of fluids, getting good sleep, and hoping this goes away like it usually does. Normally, I go see my doctor and she usually puts me on antibiotics. The last time it happened, she wasn't available and I had to see a different doctor. And he would not give me antibiotics. Go figure.

I really don't want to go anywhere near a doctor's office full of germs right now. So I am going to wait and see if this just goes away on its own. If it doesn't, then I know something else is going on. As long as it's a mild case, I'd rather get it over with anyway. Just like you!

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Oh wow

I completely understand your reluctance to go near a doctor's office at the moment.

I don't get upper respiratory infections every year, but since I had a very serious one in the 8th grade (40 years ago), if I get a bad cold or flu I end up with stubborn bronchitis and often pneumonia. Seems to happen every three to four years and the last one was three years ago. That one was bad. I was down for the count for about 10 weeks.

Thanks to allergies, I always have congestion, a slight nagging cough, and watery chest. The only thing that would alert me to being sick would be adding a fever to the mix and/or that all over achy sick feeling that comes with a viral infection.

Please stay in touch and let me know that you're okay.

[Dem2theMax]

11. You sound like we could be cousins when it comes to the allergy department.

Things have been blooming very early here in California. I've had a runny nose for weeks. Sound familiar?
Nose has been stuffed up. Watery, stinging eyes.

So that's what I was chalking this up to when it started.
I took Tylenol yesterday and my fever went down. Got up this morning, fever is right back up again. The only thing I don't have is that I'm not aching all over. So I think that's a good sign. At least that's how I'm going to look at it. LOL?

You be very careful. Having a propensity to bronchitis and pneumonia is not good. Duh!

In my dad's later years, he came down with pneumonia or walking pneumonia so many times. I've been wiping shopping carts with antibacterial wipes for about 15 years! I guess I was ahead of the curve.

I had to start doing something to reduce the germs in my Dad's life. He thought I was crazy. I always took him shopping. When we would get back in the car, I would practically have to force him to use an antibacterial wipe on his hands.

Then one day he must have decided he should just give in. He sat down in the car and before I could get my seat belt on, he had his hand open, waiting for the antibacterial wipe. And son of a gun, it helped.
(I don't know if Dad would have ever admitted that.)

I'll let you know how I'm doing. And you do the same!

[tavernier]

9. I'm flying Allegiant in one month.

They sent me a similar email last week. I appreciated it very much because I was stressing about the whole trip, considering I’m 73.

[Dem2theMax]

10. Even my banks sent me emails this morning.

They said the same things about how they are going to do everything they can to keep the banks clean and safe. And then really pushing online banking, which is a good idea right now.

I went on Amazon last night to order some things, and they have a whole section on the Coronavirus. Not as in products, but as in information on the Coronavirus. I was really surprised, and very happy to see that.

I'm in my mid-60s, and I totally understand that you would be stressed out about traveling.

Is it a trip that you absolutely have to take? Could it be postponed until things settle down? Whenever that will be.

[tavernier]

12. It's not life or death but quite important.

I guess I could mention that even though I’m 73, I still walk and run 2 to 3 miles a day, my blood pressure is normally around 100/60. I take no medication (other than a couple of Manhattans twice a week) and I’m in pretty good shape. I’m a nurse and I still work home health, although I haven’t accepted any patients since this started. But I do volunteer at the high school, lunch lady , and my daughter has a Christmas tree farm in Indiana and I go there in the spring and fall and help with the planting and the weeding. I know that doesn’t make me special and I’m still in the high danger group, but as long as I am not being a threat to anyone else, I will take my chances to live my life. If I do have symptoms of any kind, shortness of breath, elevated temperature, I will ground myself ASAP.

I know they are saying that my age group is all but toast in the next few weeks, and that is certainly a possibility. But until then, I have things to do and people to see, and whatever life is left to live, I plan to do it, responsibly, not recklessly, but passionately.

Wish me luck!

[Dem2theMax]

13. I think you're doing exactly what you should be doing!

I'm a few years younger than you, and you are in much better shape than I am. I have to get off my butt and get out and start moving the way you do.

Christmas tree farm. That just made my eyes light up. The smell alone would keep me there. What a wonderful thing to be able to be a part of! I don't blame you a bit for wanting to go and help out. And as you say, you are taking precautions and being sensible, so go for it!

I absolutely wish you good luck. I also wish for you to have the time of your life! Plant some trees for me.

[tavernier]

14. Thanks!

I’ve always been a lover of trees, all kinds. Must have been a Druid in a former life. Saving a baby Christmas tree from strangling weeds is a powerful high... I swear they instantly perk up and almost breathe, human like. On the same token, I’m sad when they are chopped down! But a lot of our customers are actually into live trees that they replant in their yard when the holiday is over.

[Dem2theMax]

15. I love trees as well. I'm an outdoor person.

My wonderful father loved the outdoors more than anyone I ever knew. The first time I went camping, I was 6 months old. And I've had a lifelong love affair with the mountains in particular.

Pine trees are my absolute favorite. The smell of them alone is medicine to me.

I'm so happy to hear that a lot of the customers buy live trees! They are so beautiful. I can't imagine not wanting to buy a live tree and then putting it somewhere in the yard and enjoying it forever.

I live in an area where pine trees are actually dangerous, so I can't plant them here. (Fire danger.) I would be surrounded by them if I could.