Hi everyone,
Thanks to all who have helped others as we collectively try to navigate the effects of the coronavirus on travel. International travel has come to a screeching halt, affecting all of us participating in this forum.
If you want the "too long; didn't read" version of this post, keep your replies hyper-focused on travel. We've allowed a breadth of conversation for awhile, and it's time to bring it back to what this forum is about. Threads going too far off topic will be deleted. It will be hard to understand where we are drawing the line, so this post is an attempt to explain that.
What we've seen is that travel conversations in our forum aren't being allowed to happen without debating the coronavirus. It's preventing people from getting the answers they seek. This is still a travel forum. People need to be able to ask travel questions without giving an endless list of caveats to avoid a host of off-topic discussions.
From here forward, when someone has a travel question, assume that they know...
- The coronavirus is currently preventing travel and that they will reconsider their plans if the virus is still affecting travel at that time
- The basics of limiting the spread of the virus via limiting unnecessary travel, social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, etc
- There are greater concerns in the world and they aren't being dismissive of this by virtue of asking a travel question or lamenting lost (delayed?) travel plans
- The virus has been politicized and they didn't come here for any such commentary or debate
We aren't banning mention of the coronavirus, but be mindful that this is a travel forum. What makes this forum valuable is travelers' advice and opinions based on their travel experiences, NOT opinions based on the latest coronavirus news. To clarify, this is not a limitation on sharing news that directly affects travel as long as the purpose is to further the on-topic travel-related discussion. The virus is the news of the day and will be for some time. We as moderators accept that. However, question the media being cited for its direct worth as it relates to travel, and question whether you should share it here at all.
Many conversations have shifted to when we can travel again. As a reminder, this forum is a place to share insight and opinions so that the OP and other readers can make the best decision for themselves. Debate is NOT what this forum is for. Share your opinion or insight once, then let it go.
Keep politics out of this. Seriously. It is acceptable to share what a government entity has done to manage the virus as this directly affects travel or the outlook on when we can travel again. Any other political commentary will be removed and risks warnings or banishment. Please avoid any exasperation with regard to any entity's response to the virus. This is difficult for all of us, and any such exasperation immediately takes a discussion off topic.
Thanks to everyone for doing what they can to keep our travel forum about travel. This will be hard given the current state of the world and we sincerely appreciate all your efforts and input.
Stay on topic (travel!). Do not respond to guideline violations or off-topic subjects. Report violations. Answer the question directly at hand. Strongly avoid politics. Be good to one another. Thank you! We will make it through this!!