Spoken Query

Today, the CDC recommended that all Americans voluntarily wear cloth masks in public.   The first place I looked was at the local Safeway but, as expected, I didn't find any masks there. The next place was Amazon, however the masks there were either only for sale to  hospitals/Government agencies or had delivery dates set for late June. So,  I decided to  make one at home. The final product! I went through many DIY masks tutorials on Youtube but these had complicated instructions and require materials that are not readily available at home. One such material (in fact, the most important one) is the "FILTER" that is used inside the mask.Here is a link describing the  different filter materials for making a DIY mask  and their effectiveness .    Most tutorials recommend using HEPA or MERV 13-14 filters since these eliminate 99.97% of any airborne particulate matter. These are used inside vacuum cleaners and air conditioners and are as effective as surgic

Canton Waterfront Promenade It's Saturday and we decided to go for a short walk to get some fresh air and exercise.  At first, we were thinking if it was safe to go outside? There is a lot of confusion around this. On one hand we are told to stay home as much as possible and on the other hand, we are also been told that it is important to keep exercising - and that a walk or run in the park is OK. For instance, Mitchell Silver, New York's  city parks commissioner, encouraged residents to use parks, pointing out that spending time outdoors can reduce stress and boost immunity. Brian Labus, a professor in public health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas said,  "If you're outside walking by yourself, you're not exposed; if you're out walking the dog by yourself, there's no risk, it's when you have contact with other people that you need to be concerned. " However, last week  scientists established that  coronavirus  droplets  could  l

The Yoshino cherry blossoms are heading towards full bloom. In a normal year about 1.5 million visitors will congregate around the Tidal Basin area to witness this event. However, this year due to the coronavirus crisis, local agencies and health officials are discouraging crowds and recommending that any visitors maintain a safe distance.  This can be disheartening for a lot of people, especially if you have been planning this for a long time or traveling from afar.  So, this leads to the million dollar question: Is it safe to visit the Tidal Basin to see the  cherry blossoms ? Tidal Basin is open and accessible for strolling and walking. However, t he National Park Service has placed placards around the Tidal Basin warning visitors about the dangers of coronavirus during peak bloom this Saturday (03.21.2020) .  “Although the park is not closed, we encourage all visitors, particularly the most vulnerable, including the elderly and people with underlying conditi

We already know that the coronavirus outbreak has put air travel in crisis. Many of us with upcoming leisure trips are wondering if our flights will be canceled by the airlines or if we should be canceling them ourselves.  Such uncertainty can drive us to cancel our flights immediately, especially, if the travelers are senior citizens with pre-existing medical conditions like my parents or if you are traveling with kids.  For instance, we have an upcoming trip to Mexico in April 2020 and we are booked on Delta airlines for the US-Mexico leg and Volaris from Cancun to Mexico City. At this time, about USD 2500 worth of our flight tickets is at stake.  No cash refund unless the airlines cancel the flight. Unfortunately, if your flight hasn't been canceled by the airlines, there is a possibility that you may not get a 100% cash refund (if you have non-refundable ticket). However, a lot of airlines (including Delta) are offering e-credits/ travel credits that you will be able to u

So, this year (2020), we decided to visit Mexico to see the Chichen Itza pyramids. Our plans were made during my yearly India trip in October 2019 (much before the coronavirus outbreak happened) and since then we had started making all the reservations, i.e. flight tickets, hotels, local tours, etc. Based on our Mexico travel dates, my parents also booked their flight to the US. They arrived here in February when the coronavirus news was still at a nascent stage. However, since last week, both coronavirus and news about it have suddenly spread like a wildfire. With over 3000 people dead worldwide, a lot of countries have issued travel bans. This has led to airlines and cruises canceling their routes. Therefore, we are wondering whether we should opt out of going to Mexico  even though there are just twelve confirmed cases of Covid-19 there.  Moreover, the U.S. State Department has maintained its Level 1 travel advisory-  exercise normal precautions - for most of Mexico. Likewise,