[Melaniesplace]

Wait till April

[davephan]

Originally Posted by cafw1

I agree with BayLady. I just received the 2nd Moderna shot and had flu like symptoms as she described. In addition, you don't have full protection for 3 weeks after the 2nd shot. I'm interested in seeing if the shots last only 3 months----that's not encouraging---or if they last a lot longer and if they protect us from the mutant strains.

If the vaccinations only last for three months, and it takes over a year to vaccinate the whole population, it’s pretty easy to see that plan will fail!

The OP’s wife must not have a ‘remote’ job. I think that the best solution is to hunker down in the snow belt state until your wife is free to get time off from work to take vacation time. Then fly down to Florida, so that you don’t waste a lot of the short vacation time driving to and from Florida.Then rent a car in Florida, so that you’re not trapped in the Villages, without a car. A week car rental isn’t that much more expensive than two round trip shuttle rides.

You might consider flying first class, if you can afford it. It’s much less crowded and packed in at the front of the aircraft. Sun country has $45 to $49 extra cost seats in the first several rows, much less expensive than airlines that offer first class seating. There were many empty seats in that area, and it was packed behind that section. We felt much more comfortable, not having to sit in the totally packed area of the aircraft.

[Amohernyikes]

I think if you are second guessing yourself, your gut intuition is telling you not to travel. April will be here very soon!

[wmcgowan]

Originally Posted by Garywt

We had planned on coming down early March as we were last down mid January. Now my wife cannot get the time off. Because of that I can leave as early as Thursday afternoon after my 2nd Covid shot. The issue I have is do I want to do the 20 hour drive alone and I know 10 days in The Villages will be great but not as great if my wife was with me. I am also afraid that the ride home will be terrible more so than the drive down. I guess I am just venting as I try to figure out what is best. If I don’t do this then it will be the end of April before we get down there.

take your girlfriend - share the driving

[dhdallas]

Originally Posted by Garywt

We had planned on coming down early March as we were last down mid January. Now my wife cannot get the time off. Because of that I can leave as early as Thursday afternoon after my 2nd Covid shot. The issue I have is do I want to do the 20 hour drive alone and I know 10 days in The Villages will be great but not as great if my wife was with me. I am also afraid that the ride home will be terrible more so than the drive down. I guess I am just venting as I try to figure out what is best. If I don’t do this then it will be the end of April before we get down there.

I read an article sometime ago where a guy who made terrible decisions sold $1 shares of himself (1 share per person only). He would then post his situation & the related choices online, his shareholders would vote, and he would do as the majority voted. Should I ask this person out? Do I need a new car? Should I change jobs? You get the idea. Not only did he say his life improved but he made some money from selling shares of himself.

When you think about it, how many times have you seen a friend or family member planning on doing something really dumb but will never listen to reason from anyone? Afterwards came the divorce everyone predicted, car that fell apart, business that failed, etc. I have a relative whose life would seriously improve if he stopped making such horrible decisions for himself & would even just consider taking a bit of advice on occasion.

So if you have a track record of bad choices or are just plain indecisive, I agree with your approach to taking this trip or not. See what the group has to say. Clint Eastwood as 'Dirty Harry' said "A man has got to know his limitations".

[laboutj]

Can I ask OP why you can't fly? I personally think it's safer than going shopping in Publix. There are HEPA filters in the cabins and the air gets turned over every 3 minutes.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Garywt

Coming from Mass and I cannot go outside much because of the cold and snow. The cold goes right through me and I can’t afford to fall. We own a house there for 2 years now. We were down a week in Nov., a week in Jan and will be down for a week in April to close up for the summer. Since I am retired was just hoping to get more time.

if that's the case, you need Fl asap, lol. the sunshine is warm & we always welcome fellow residents any time of year. the only thing is how your wife will feel if she sees pix of you by the pool, in shorts & a tank with a drink in your hand while she is stuck 'up north' in a snow covered tundra.
ps; i drive everywhere, a LOT more freedom on the road than in the skies

[laboutj]

Originally Posted by dhdallas

I read an article sometime ago where a guy who made terrible decisions sold $1 shares of himself (1 share per person only). He would then post his situation & the related choices online, his shareholders would vote, and he would do as the majority voted. Should I ask this person out? Do I need a new car? Should I change jobs? You get the idea. Not only did he say his life improved but he made some money from selling shares of himself.

When you think about it, how many times have you seen a friend or family member planning on doing something really dumb but will never listen to reason from anyone? Afterwards came the divorce everyone predicted, car that fell apart, business that failed, etc. I have a relative whose life would seriously improve if he stopped making such horrible decisions for himself & would even just consider taking a bit of advice on occasion.

So if you have a track record of bad choices or are just plain indecisive, I agree with your approach to taking this trip or not. See what the group has to say. Clint Eastwood as 'Dirty Harry' said "A man has got to know his limitations".

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where George Costanza would do the opposite of what he would normally do. Everything started working out for him.

[dreamweaver2634]

Take the train!

[Gator_Girl]

I can't imagine coming alone, unless you're a loner, but you're married so.....

[Parnell]

Gary - I just had my second covid shot and felt terrible the next day as if I had the flu. If you're driving, leave time to recuperate after the shot since you may feel terrible. This is a normal reaction and not all get it but I could never have driven anywhere the next day.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by cafw1

I agree with BayLady. I just received the 2nd Moderna shot and had flu like symptoms as she described. In addition, you don't have full protection for 3 weeks after the 2nd shot. I'm interested in seeing if the shots last only 3 months----that's not encouraging---or if they last a lot longer and if they protect us from the mutant strains.

Where is the 3 month thing coming from? I haven't seen any documentation about that at all.

[deestatham@aol.com]

Originally Posted by Garywt

We had planned on coming down early March as we were last down mid January. Now my wife cannot get the time off. Because of that I can leave as early as Thursday afternoon after my 2nd Covid shot. The issue I have is do I want to do the 20 hour drive alone and I know 10 days in The Villages will be great but not as great if my wife was with me. I am also afraid that the ride home will be terrible more so than the drive down. I guess I am just venting as I try to figure out what is best. If I don’t do this then it will be the end of April before we get down there.

My brother wants to drive down with his dog from Maryland. I’m not nuts about him making the trip alone but if he makes it a 2 day trip, maybe it won’t be as bad. When you’re 77, I worry a little more. (He’s 77, not ME). But staying just 7-10 days isn’t enough. Too long a drive for a short visit. Since you don’t have a dog, have you considered the Autotrain? You drive to Lorton, Va,, get on the train (car too) and relax for the next 16 hours. Let’s you off in Sanford which is 1.5 hrs. From The Villages. My husband and I have done it 3 times now and love it.

[merrymini]

Why come down without your wife? Things in Florida are pretty wide open considering how closed a lot of states are like NJ where I am now for my son’s wedding. I feel like I am incarcerated! Do not believe a lot of what you hear on this site. People are as scared as jack rabbits and will say anything.

[FutureFloridian]

I can understand why you're really torn, but can't help you make the decision.

As others have mentioned, the second dose of the Covid vax can pack a big punch. While DH and I haven't yet received it, our daughter (age 25, currently on emergency medicine rotations) received the second dose and had several of the typical reactions. My MIL (age 90's) received the second dose and had no reactions, whatsoever. Go figure.

Also, keep in mind that it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination.

I don't think anyone mentioned this, but if you go to FL, what's your state's re-entry procedure?

In NY, travelers must obtain a test within three days of FL departure, prior to arrival in NY. The traveler must, upon arrival in NY, quarantine for three days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain another COVID test... If both tests are negative, you are free ! This essentially turns the 10 day quarantine into a +/- 6 day quarantine. This is still the rule in NY, even if the traveler has received both shots.

Are you and your wife both OK with you coming back to your home after traveling, or will you need to find somewhere else to isolate, as you await the results of your Covid tests or wait to make sure you don't develop Covid (unlikely, because you'll be vaccinated)?

All the best to you, whatever you decide