Article: Tourism in Germany — can it coexist with the coronavirus?

We're seeing some of the same in my state (MN), Mark. Lots of people have cabins and 2nd homes around the many lakes in the northern parts of the state, Medical facilities are much smaller and located further apart in those locations than in the cities so year-around residents are asking seasonal residents to PLEASE stay home lest they potentially overload limited resources. They don't need their fewer grocery sources to be overstressed either.

Same thing on the Oregon Coast. Those who own second homes come for a few day, go back, repeat. Very frustrating as they are within their rights but it impacts our facilities and potentially brings the virus when we’ve had very few known cases so far. Same issue with tiny hospital, store having trouble getting supplies. One Oregon town (cannot remember which one) had their police tracking down out-of-state license plates and asking the people to leave.

Similar situation in coastal Maine and islands.

We have a 2nd home in Washington County, Maine, which has 4 ventilators for 35,000 people. We're staying put in FL for a good long time this year.

Robert, I can see that being very important for the Maine islands! We spent a really interesting 1/2 day exploring Little Cranberry some years back, and I don't think either that one or Great Cranberry even have clinics. I think the closest hospital is in Bar Harbor?

Same issue in France — year-rounders in Brittany and around Noirmoutier etc (probably anywhere) are furious at the Parisians coming to sit out the storm in their second homes.

The SNCF is running something like only 7% (yes 7%) of its regular TGVs in order NOT to facilitate such inter-regional transfers, and on the weekends, the police have had extra controls at the big Paris departure stations to make sure that people traveling really have a reason to.

I get the point about not adding to the stress on hospital systems that are built to handle smaller populations, and the inherent problem in traveling anywhere since the virus only travels via people— but all that said, I am not sure I wouldn’t have done the same myself if I had the option of waiting this out in a house somewhere with a garden!!!

This kind of information will be critical to determining when it will be ok to travel somewhere. Whether the planes are flying or not, I don't want to go somewhere where the local people are still recovering mentally as well as physically, and tourists will be welcome. Or even just tolerated.

I want to thank you all honestly for contributing their view on our common world. Really interesting.

The current weather in Germany is brilliant - sunny spring days with warming temperatures during the day. I hope that most people can resist from more than a walk outside keeping the necessary distance.

Easter is next weekend, normally a travel intensive time - meeting family and friends, maybe visiting an Easter bonfire, a tradition in some German regions.

Speaking of my heighborhood Berlin Friedrichshain - normally one of the most lively and vibrant places in Germany - I can say that we feel and somehow enjoy the quietness and slowliness. All bars and night clubs are closed and it seems that a lot of people who just live and work here already traveled home (like around Christmas) because the measures will be uphold minimum to April 19.

Also this morning trams and buses were driving around empty or with just a handful of people in. Some photographers were up early and trying to catch a good picture of sunrise behind Barandenburg Gate but all very cautious and with large distance to each other.

I know that my city can be loud and also be quiet, especially on early Sunday mornings - but in these times nearly all days are Sunday mornings. The people find other ways to celebrate with each other, e. g. by by balcony parties and / or video conferences or clubs invite DJs playing in the empty club but streamed via the Internet. Artists play sofa concerts or even can be booked for a singing video clip sent as message to your friends and families. Even the mighty meetup and free evening event scene in Berlin just moved to "Digital Drinks" format and provide after-work hour live video interviews around interesting topics such as Corona subsidies for startups.

Our societies will find and explore new ways to live with situations like that - and even when Corona is over, the next virus will come for sure.

I wish you all a good health and physical stamina when virus will get you and me which seems likely sooner or later. Let us stay mentally together by keeping physical distance and continueing the exchange on travel, on culture and on different experiences and views. And let us hope for the best that soon we can re-start to explore happily each other's worlds and places by traveling again.

All the best from Berlin!

I am nervously waiting on the fate of our June 14 tour which may happen on Monday, April 13. I am keeping my figures crossed that it won’t be another victim on the cancellation list. I am here in San Diego, CA waiting out this virus like the rest of the world, but also realize that it can’t last forever. Stay safe and looking forward to going there in June!

What a nice way to look at quarintine Mark. I was restless at first but am now starting to enjoy the slower lifestyle and peace too, the good weather definitely helps