This blog post is not in any way intended to encourage people to travel at this time. We recommend that you follow guidelines from the CDC, the US and State Governments, and other officials pertaining to travel.
We also acknowledge that there are many full-time RV-ers that are navigating the new reality of RV-ing during an international pandemic. This blog post is written to help them stay safe during this uncertain time.
The Coronavirus
It’s dominated the news cycle for weeks, and by now, we know the symptoms - cough, fever, and shortness of breath to name a few. The fast-spreading virus is plaguing communities around the world, including our own here in the US.
The Coronavirus spreads in several ways:
Person to Person contact, which largely occurs when people are within close contact of one another. This is why the CDC recommends distancing yourself from others - at least 6 feet.
Droplets in the air. This happens through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs.
Contact with contaminated surfaces. This type of spreading happens when a person touches something that has been contaminated with the live virus. That’s why keeping your hands away from your face and frequent, thorough handwashing is advised.
Because this virus spreads so easily, it has rapidly spread around the world. Cases in the US have risen quickly, causing widespread concern over our health and safety.
If you are a full-time RV-er and currently living in your RV, you may be wondering how you can stay safe and what you can do to mitigate your risk of exposure and illness. We want to share a few practical tips with you.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
It seems simple, but when something can spread quickly from a cough or a sneeze, it makes you think more and more about how many germs we are exposed to in our everyday life - from surfaces like buttons and door handles to public spaces like restaurants, retail stores, and libraries. But you don’t have to feel helpless in your fight to stay healthy. You can take some precautionary steps to do your best to avoid getting sick.
Practice good hygiene.
Wash your hands frequently, for a minimum of 20 seconds. Many experts recommend singing happy birthday two times through, but we’ve found that there are a number of songs for you to choose from for your hand-washing entertainment. NPR put out a great list with something for every musical taste!
Shower regularly. You probably already do this, but you may want to consider adjusting your showering schedule, so you shower AFTER you run an errand or you’re out in public. This practice may change your showering routine, but it can be an added layer of protection to wash off any viral germs you may come into contact with while you are out.
Change your clothes. Similarly to the recommendation above, change your clothes after you’ve been out in public. The virus can live on clothes, although most experts do not believe it can live for very long there. Even still, changing just to be safe certainly can’t hurt.
Leave your shoes at the door. It’s a well-known fact that shoes can bring dirt, pollen, and germs into your living space. Just take a moment to leave them at the door, and don’t risk bringing anything inside with you.
Take time to clean regularly. See this list of cleaning products that the EPA recommends to kill Coronavirus. It includes many products and brands that you are probably familiar with, and may already have.
Wipe down surfaces regularly, including countertops, doorknobs, handles, light switches, remotes, keyboards, desks, etc. Just think about things that the people in your household touch regularly, and be sure to wipe them down frequently.
Clean electronics, like phones and tablets. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for how to clean and disinfect these items. These are used regularly and often phones can carry germs. It’s important to keep them clean.
The CDC has published a thorough list of guidelines for regular cleaning as well as cleaning if a person in your household has coronavirus. While we hope that you all stay well, this is good information to have.
UPDATE: Since the time this article was written, the CDC has since begun to advise the American public to wear cloth or other types of face masks when we are in public to protect ourselves and others. Here's a good round-up article that shows various tutorials on how to make a no-sew face mask out of fabric. If you have access to a sewing machine or needle and thread, there are many tutorials available online on how to sew a face mask. Please remember, we need to save the N95 medical-grade facemasks for our country's healthcare workers.
Social Distancing
This one is hard. We are social beings, and staying in can feel isolating. But at this time, this is what many government agencies and health officials are recommending to slow the spread of Coronavirus. If you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus, stay home. Do not go out into public and risk infecting others.
If you are healthy and need to go into public for normal supplies, like food, medicine, gasoline, etc., there are a few steps you can take to help keep yourself safe:
Use disposable gloves, if you already have them, for things like the bank ATM and gasoline pumps.
Keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
If you need to cough or sneeze, direct it into the crook of your arm to keep from spreading any germs.
Keep your distance from cashiers - try not to physically touch them - when possible pay by card, set it down and let them pick it up.
If possible, drive through or call ahead and arrange for a no-contact pick up instead of going inside a retail shop or restaurant.
If you prefer to get your food and other essentials delivered, there are lots of options for you...
There are several grocery delivery services available, including Instacart and Shipt. You can place your order and pay for it online, and a personal shopper will shop for you and deliver these items to your door.
Order what you need online or by phone and have it shipped to you.
Some online retailers, like Amazon, Target, and Walmart can ship many non-perishable supplies right to you as well.
If you enjoy the occasional take out or restaurant experience, there is some good news. There is no evidence that suggests that you can get Coronavirus from food. Many restaurants have taken additional measures to mitigate spreading coronavirus and have set up call-in and online ordering along with no contact pick up. This can be a great way to support your favorite businesses during this time.
If you’re feeling lonely, there are lots of ways you can reach out and connect with others. Remember, we’re all in this together. Here are a few ways to connect:
G Chat - this is Google’s online service that allows you to chat or video chat with others. You need to have a Gmail account to use this feature.
Social media like Facebook and Instagram allow you to post, message, share images and videos and comment on other posts. This is a great way to feel connected to those you love.
Zoom is an online video chat platform. You can set up a free account and have chats up to 40 minutes at no charge. You just need a Wifi connection and a compatible device - laptop, tablet, or smartphone - to connect.
Marco Polo is a video chat app for smartphones that allows you to record video messages for one friend or a group of friends. Set up a group to stay connected to several people at once.
Email is a simple way to reach out and stay connected. Almost everyone has an email address that they check daily.
Skype is another video conferencing platform that is available for free with some stipulations.
Facetime is available on most Apple devices and allows you to use your Wifi or cellular connection to have video calls with other Apple users.
Phone Calls may seem old fashioned with all of these other ways to stay connected, but it’s still a great option to hear the voice of someone you love and stay connected to them.
Good old Snail Mail is also a great way to let others know that you’re thinking about them and you care. Send a letter or a card to someone you care about, and ask them to reply in kind. Bring penpals back!
Take care of yourself
Many Americans are feeling overwhelmed and anxious about our current situation. And let’s be honest, this is unprecedented in modern times. With the proliferation of air travel and the Internet, the world is much smaller than it once was.
Take it one day at a time, and make the effort to take care of yourself.
Get exercise. Go for a walk, do a workout video or online class, practice yoga, or some other activity you enjoy.
Eat well. Get your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, along with healthy grains and proteins. Avoid sugar and sodium, and be sure to follow any instructions from your doctor regarding your personal diet. Choose My Plate has some great resources to make eating healthy easy.
Get outside every day for some fresh air and Vitamin D! There’s nothing that feels quite as good as a deep breath of fresh air.
Practice mental wellness. This can look different for people, but mindfulness, meditation, prayer, choosing to be grateful, and checking in with your emotions are all great ways to keep anxiety at bay.
Carve out time to be creative. Studies show that creativity leads to a longer life and helps people deal with uncertainty. Make time to do something creative that you enjoy, whether that’s cooking, crochet, painting, playing an instrument, or something else. Creative time is time well spent.
Pick up an old hobby or learn a new skill. Many online educators are offering free online classes, like Blueprint and some courses through Class Central, Coursera, and others. This article from CNBC has a good list of free classes you can take right now.
Remember, this too shall pass. Take it one day at a time, and practice cleanliness and other safety measures.
Torrey Trails is Continuing Construction
We believe in tomorrow - in life beyond this virus. We’re continuing our construction of Torrey Trails RV & Golf Resort, while adhering to safety measures. We’re looking forward to opening during the fall of 2020, with many of our luxury amenities in place.
See our site plan and join us at Torrey Trails! We’d love to have you stay with us. You can keep up with our construction updates on our website or Facebook page.
Reserve your RV Site for Next Season NOW!
We’re planning to open and ready for your stay in November 2020, but sites are being booked daily right now. Check out our incredible offer for RV-ers that are ready to book their stay now!
Right now, when you reserve an RV Site for 3 years, you’ll get the first 2 years for 25% off and the third year locked in at today’s rate. Here’s what that looks like at today’s rates...
Year 1: $3,230.25
Year 2: $3,230.25
Year 3: $4,307 for a standard lot at our opening rate
With your rate, you’ll have access to all of the amazing amenities at Torrey Trails, including our 9-hole executive golf course, 55,000 gallon swimming pool, beautiful clubhouse, courts for tennis and pickleball, 3-mile hiking trails, 30 acres nature preserve, and so much more all in our gated 55+ luxury RV Resort.
Learn more by calling 863-300-9639.
The best RV living is going to be right here at Torrey Trails in Bowling Green, FL. With a location central to hubs like Tampa, Ocala, Orlando, and Fort Myers, Torrey Trails offers guest access to all they would want to see and do in south Florida without the traffic and congestion. Torrey Trails RV and Golf Resort is an incredible destination for snowbirds, RV rental beginners, and seasoned full-time RV travelers alike. We designed Torrey Trails just for you! Come and stay with us!
Sources and Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2020/03/25/is-eating-takeout-food-safe-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/#71c301d52bd1
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/open-mind-longer-life/