Club Business
President Dick O’Donnell presided. Randy Perkins led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to our flag. Karen Powell attended as Sam’s guest. Kristi Farrell was also our guest. Dick shared a few interesting facts associated with this day in history. He said that he and Bebe were fortunate to get their Covid-19 vaccines last week at Duke. He said we can text 888777 and type GC19 to get on the list.
Dick mentioned the upcoming blood drive on February 12 from Noon until 6 pm at BBW. Here is the link to register online – https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1055780
Dick said our club will be given the opportunity to donate to provide meals for first responders at ARMC through Burlington Beer Works.
Program: Eileen Murphy – Travel Safety during Covid-19
Land and Sea Travel, LLC specializes in cruises and other travel. Her son Adam, a special needs child, loved to travel before his death. Eileen dedicated her business to help people, even ones with special needs, to be able to travel. She gave several reasons people love to travel, not the least being the making of new friends, relaxation, adventure, learning history, making memories, and expanding cultural awareness. Eileen loves river cruises especially.
She told us that airlines now do electrostatic cleaning. Their air filters exchange the air every four minutes. Her clients say they have felt very safe. The resorts and hotels offer UV treatments and electrostatic cleaning. Masks are required in public areas. Various floor levels are alternated, allowing entire floors to be thoroughly cleaned between guests occupying the rooms. Cruise ships also use more protocols, which include UV lighting and improved air filtering. It looks as if cruises will begin to start up again in May.
In some states their are restrictions. If you go out of the country, 72-hour covid test are required. Some motels are providing free tests. Jamaica requires a travel authorization form. Puerto Rico requires 72-hours. Hawaii is open provided you take the 72-hour test. Cruises allow cancellation up until the last few days.
Eileen shared a few promotions with the club. She recommends using travel insurance since life is so unpredictable. Some options are river cruises, resorts, yachts, private villas, private beaches and mountain homes, and RV vacations. Land and Sea Travel can help in all of these. They get paid by the cruise lines and resorts they book, not by the client.
Sam Powell asked what would happen if someone contracted the virus while traveling. Eileen said that travel insurance will cover becoming sick before or during the trip. She said a traveler will have to get a negative test result before being able to return home. Eileen said that we should be prepared by bringing extra medications, etc. In response to Randy’s question, she said wheelchair bound travelers can have all their needs met. She specializes in that sort of thing.
Conclusion
Dick closed the meeting by leading us in reciting the Four Way Test.