In a recent posting on his blog, Travel expert and Today Show Travel Producer Peter Greenberg responded to comments made by Vice President Joe Biden regarding fear of using public transportation. Peter referred to the present swine flu scare as more of an "infodemic" than pandemic, referring to the ongoing media hype fueling unnecessary fear of travel.
What's he going to do? Peter's heading to Mexico -- armed with hand sanitizer and a dose of common sense for staying healthy on the road.
We wanted to share a few excerpts from his blog entry entitled "The Travel Detective Responds to Joe Biden and the Swine Flu Infodemic". He said...
"It’s been argued—and the last week serves as at least partial confirmation—that Americans are among the most fearful travelers in the world. More than 100 cases in the U.S. of swine flu (aka- H1N1 influenza) and one confirmed death has created a negative reaction of staggering proportions as well as some inflammatory statements from some folks who should know better. Perception versus reality is the name of the game, and as travelers and reasonably intelligent citizens, we may be losing...
...In Europe, foreign airlines appealed to the European Union for permission to cancel all their flights to Mexico and many to North America. The real reason wasn’t the medical emergency, but the economic fallout from the perceived crisis: empty planes. Cruise lines canceled all Mexican port calls and diverted their ships to other destinations.
And what am I going to do? I’m going to Mexico! No, I will not be wearing a hazmat suit. But I’ll be flying down on comfortable, empty planes, staying in empty hotels, enjoying a nice fruity beverage on a deserted Mexican beach. And so should you, with the proper medical caveats and a large dose of common sense."
We applaud Peter's common sense view about traveling, as did most of the other readers who commented. Here's our response to Peter's post: "Here here Peter! We at BedandBreakfast.com applaud your response to Joe Biden’s remarks on the Today Show. We watched his interview incredulously, wondering what additional blows could be paid to the travel industry. We agree, it’s not about surgical masks and staying at home this summer, it’s about common sense. Kudos to you for having plenty of it!"
Remember, as owner-operated businesses, B&Bs are among the cleanest accommodations you will find. Innkeepers consistently hear, "WOW! this B&B is so clean!". While investigations were revealing behind-the-scenes stories about dirty drinking glasses and unkept bathrooms at hotels, the B&B industry was applauded for its cleanliness. While we promote proper hygiene and common sense while traveling, we encourage you to continue planning those vacations. Afterall, the effects of stress are known to be far more detrimental to health than flu, and vacation deprivation will take its toll on your health, too.
Don't forget to check BedandBreakfast.com's Tanks for Traveling Specials when planning your B&B getaway this summer!