Herd immunity is reached when conservatively 60-70% of the population has been infected. Sorry, Kansas and this country as a whole is nowhere near this level. There are a multitude of reasons why cases go up and down and right now herd immunity is not one of them.
COVID 19 and the 2021 Chase Season
- Thread starter Warren Faidley
- Start date
Paul Lemery
EF0
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2014
- Messages
- 49
That would be correct based on the reported number of cases. However, there is a very large, but unknown population that had Covid , but was never tested for it. They could have been asymptomatic or simple didn’t feel the need to test. I personally know a pile of people in the latter group. If the dramatic drop in cases continues and largely doesn’t come back we will know. In the meantime the mask mandates are pretty much a thing of the past in the plains and it’s looking like all systems go for a Great Plains chase season!
Definitely wouldn't be because of the vaccine rollout and being past the holiday season etc. right?
Paul Lemery
EF0
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2014
- Messages
- 49
The drop started in early November. That was long before vaccines and the holiday season. Great news nonetheless!Definitely wouldn't be because of the vaccine rollout and being past the holiday season etc. right?
Warren Faidley
Supporter
Hopefully, hotel operations will be back to "semi-normal" by May. One problem I encountered while hurricane chasing was motel room availability. Most hotels were only booking at 50 percent occupancy to avoid over crowding, so it was difficult to find a room on some nights - especially weekends. I'm assuming with an eventual reduction in fracking, more rooms will be available in the petroleum areas.
Ben Holcomb
EF5
As someone who spent 60 nights in hotels last year, I can say that hotel availability should not be a problem. They're filling those bad boys up now it seems, at least Hilton chain hotels. Most are painfully empty anyway still. Stayed at a hotel the other night with like 5 cars in the parking lot when I arrived after midnight.
J Sims
Enthusiast
Storm chasing for me this year will be thin, unless it is Northeast Florida or Southeast Georgia I won't be able to. Due to the restrictions placed on me by the Navy due to Covid. Traveling won't be in my future. I'm really just stuck within 150 miles of Mayport/Jacksonville, Florida, leave will be next to impossible to get for me for anything outside that.
With the way I see everything going due to Covid, I still think most if not all restrictions due to covid will still be in place come this spring/summer. I don't see the Navy reducing restrictions on me until at least next year or this coming winter. 2022 sounds like a better chance for me.
With the way I see everything going due to Covid, I still think most if not all restrictions due to covid will still be in place come this spring/summer. I don't see the Navy reducing restrictions on me until at least next year or this coming winter. 2022 sounds like a better chance for me.
Jeff House
Supporter
Plan to chase this year. Per a couple brief family trips my travel system has worked. Went to the beach and snow skiing, both naturally distant, like storm chasing.
Motels I like to bring my own pillow case, because that's where we breathe. No cumbersome spare sheets etc. Clean the remote and handles extra well. Breakfast is usually take-out from the Lobby now; so, I can have my hot breakfast.
Gas stations (pumps, any doors and bathrooms) just use a paper towel or disposable gloves. Many state's rest stops have automated doors now which helps.
Restaurants take-out and tip like dine-in; or, eat outside if we can get upwind. Once outside was so crowded we went indoors (because that was empty).
My understanding is all the Tornado Alley states are open. Most have masks which is good for me. We can get fuel, eat, and get lodging.
We sometimes chat with other chasers if we know them; but, that might have to be reduced, at distance, or outdoors only. I always wave at others in the field, no change.
Motels I like to bring my own pillow case, because that's where we breathe. No cumbersome spare sheets etc. Clean the remote and handles extra well. Breakfast is usually take-out from the Lobby now; so, I can have my hot breakfast.
Gas stations (pumps, any doors and bathrooms) just use a paper towel or disposable gloves. Many state's rest stops have automated doors now which helps.
Restaurants take-out and tip like dine-in; or, eat outside if we can get upwind. Once outside was so crowded we went indoors (because that was empty).
My understanding is all the Tornado Alley states are open. Most have masks which is good for me. We can get fuel, eat, and get lodging.
We sometimes chat with other chasers if we know them; but, that might have to be reduced, at distance, or outdoors only. I always wave at others in the field, no change.
Bill Hark
EF5
One of the things I'll miss this year is the big chaser dinner get togethers at some restaurant either after a big day or in anticipation of the next day. I usually try to balance "alone time" and being social. As for risk, I'll rank meals inside as the highest risk, then using public rest rooms and lastly waiting in line inside at a gas station.
Randy Jennings
Supporter
- Joined
- May 18, 2013
- Messages
- 784
I did my first multi-day longer chase for this season this last Fri and Sat in the Texas panhandle. A few observations for you:
1) Mask usage is almost non-existent in small towns (expect for a some employees at gas stations and fast food).
2) Mask usage is more common in cities like Lubbock, but is still less than it is in DFW.
3) Be prepared to have your food made and served by a staff not wearing masks (for example we stopped at a Braum's and only 2 of the dozen employees where wearing masks, and
4) We had a hard time finding a hotel room in Lubbock. It was spring break, Texas Tech Sorority Parent's Weekend, and at least one softball tournament was in town. I don't know if it was that or if there really is a reduction in rooms due to COVID.
1) Mask usage is almost non-existent in small towns (expect for a some employees at gas stations and fast food).
2) Mask usage is more common in cities like Lubbock, but is still less than it is in DFW.
3) Be prepared to have your food made and served by a staff not wearing masks (for example we stopped at a Braum's and only 2 of the dozen employees where wearing masks, and
4) We had a hard time finding a hotel room in Lubbock. It was spring break, Texas Tech Sorority Parent's Weekend, and at least one softball tournament was in town. I don't know if it was that or if there really is a reduction in rooms due to COVID.
James Gustina
Supporter
100% accurate. The Clarendon Sonic staff this past Saturday (3/13) were all masked up but I don't think I saw another one that wasn't on a chaser at our gas stops in Clarendon and Elk City. Not necessarily something I was worried about as I didn't really go indoors anywhere but definitely something to keep in mind at any sit down places out on the Plains.
Shawn Gossman
Supporter
I think I would continue chasing and try to put an emphasis on the points of contactless stops such as bring your own food, use drive-thru while masked and pay at the pump and of course, wear a face covering when you need to. I really recommend that in the states that are opening up completely.
I think masks are something that we need to get used to. On a related but unrelated note, I am super curious what the results of the flu season, the last one, will look like since more people than before were masking up. A low flu season might be good evidence for the effectiveness or at least fuel for the argument of using them.
I think masks are something that we need to get used to. On a related but unrelated note, I am super curious what the results of the flu season, the last one, will look like since more people than before were masking up. A low flu season might be good evidence for the effectiveness or at least fuel for the argument of using them.
Michael Gavan
EF2
I was approached at a Love's gas station north of Amarillo by an old timer. "Young Man! (I'm 40) You do not need to cover up in here!" I lied and said I work in the healthcare industry and had no choice and walked by.
I despise confrontation, especially of the kind where I'm the one being responsible and being called out for it. Be prepared for more.
I despise confrontation, especially of the kind where I'm the one being responsible and being called out for it. Be prepared for more.
Shawn Gossman
Supporter
The pandemic has really shown how souless people can be, huh? I have a degree in public health - I just look at those folks and assume they are either uneducated in it or just conspiracy nuts.
Keep doing what you feel is right and ignore to fuss that some "I'm so entitled" people display.
Greg McLaughlin
EF5
I received my first vaccine (Moderna) yesterday, and will get my second dose on April 16. I have continued to chase solo so far this spring, however by May I plan on having ride-alongs and chasing with my usual chase partners who have also vaccinated. Numbers in Tulsa continue to decline and Oklahoma is in the top 10 nationally for vaccinations. I am hopeful we are nearing the end of the pandemic. I am optimistic things will continue to trend back to normal as we enter prime chase season. Hopefully the atmosphere will trend above normal with severe weather on the Plains.
Similar threads
