…I just might have to write an article about it, as I have been inundated with e-mail messages from companies — some with whom I have not business in years — telling me how my health and safety is their top priority like they really care.
Oh, wait — I already am writing the article.
We need to cut through the firm grip of the insanity which the 2019 Novel Coronavirus — which is also known as COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV — has on the world with some levity…
I Swear, If I Receive One More Message About How My Health and Safety are Their Top Priority…
…but before I do, this article has been interrupted to bring to you the following important message…
Dear valued reader of The Gate —
We appreciate the trust you place in us and our people worldwide when you read.
In these times of uncertainty, we want you to know that the safety and health of our readers and affiliate partners are always a top priority. Now more than ever, our business is you.
We understand that with the rapidly changing updates on travel restrictions and cancelled or postponed public events, people are in different places when it comes to doing what is best for them and their families. I cannot stress enough that we believe in responsible and safe travel.
In the current environment, it’s important for all of us to travel smarter and more consciously. We’ve learned from past experience with outbreaks like H1N1 and Ebola, and have continually refined and improved our ability to inform our readers. That’s why I want to personally update you on the situation with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and the steps we are taking to ensure your health and safety in your travels. Transparency is one of our core values; and we are committed to keeping you fully informed as the situation evolves.
Travel is who we are, and it is important to us that you feel confident when choosing to read articles at The Gate. That’s why we are taking precautionary measures to provide peace of mind throughout your reading experience.
While we offer free access of articles to our readers all year round, we have also implemented an enhanced cancellation policy during this time. You may currently cancel your subscription to The Gate without being charged a cancellation fee. This offer is only available to residents of western Uganda, southern Liechtenstein, or Rwanda. This policy will be in place until Thursday, March 12, 2020; and this offer is not retroactive. Thereafter, the penalty fee for cancelling your subscription to The Gate will be $1,800.00 — except for people who were born on February 30, February 31, April 31, June 31, and September 31.
Environmental Cleaning Practices
As always, we are committed to upholding the highest standard of cleanliness by continuing to disinfect every letter, number, and symbol which are used in every article at The Gate. Now that the process has been proactively further expanded, it is extremely painstaking yet discerning, using only the finest disinfecting products and spending at least five minutes on each letter, number, and symbol to ensure your safety. We guarantee that you will not contract the 2019 Novel Coronavirus simply by reading articles which are written and posted here. This offer becomes invalid once you touch something — like your computer keyboard, for example.
Several hand sanitizer stations have been set up all around The Gate for the utmost in your personal hygiene and your use.
We understand that in today’s world, travel is fundamental to our business and our lives, which is why it can’t — and shouldn’t — simply stop. I believe Delta’s mission of connecting the world and creating opportunities is never more important than at times like this.
As we continue to monitor developments and navigate through these challenging circumstances, we want you to know that you can rely on us always to put your health and safety first. Thank you for your incredible loyalty and for placing your valued continued trust in The Gate; and always know that we will do our best to do the right thing for all of our readers.
The thousands of employees of The Gate worldwide look forward to seeing you again soon.
Sincerely,
Brian Cohen
Founder of The Gate
What you just read is a composite of several of the e-mail messages I have received from airlines, lodging companies, rental car companies, restaurants, and other companies, institutions, and organizations.
To them, I say: thank you so much for your concern…
“Book With Confidence”?
…and speaking of concern, what is with most of the airlines and lodging companies exclaiming that I can “book with confidence” — that is, if I need to change or cancel my ticket for any reason, I will not have to pay a penalty.
Hey, airlines and lodging companies: why not offer this “book with confidence” offer to your “valued” customers — about whom you proclaim to care so much — all the time instead of for a limited time, using the 2019 Novel Coronavirus as a way to market your companies?
Increased Sanitizing? Why Were These Procedures Not Already Done?
One airline boasts using a high-grade disinfectant registered by the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States used on all flights; a new electrostatic fogging process often used by the food industry; state-of-the-art air circulation systems; more hand sanitizer; more gloves for members of its flight crews; and additional sanitation procedures for inbound catering equipment at international gateways.
Another airline claims that the cleaning procedure for flights includes a thorough wipe down of all touch-points — including lavatories, galleys, tray tables, window shades and armrests.
Why were these procedures not already in place to prevent the spread of viruses for ailments and diseases such as influenza? A clean tray table would have been nice on some of the airplanes on which I was a passenger in recent years.
Summary
Do you really believe that chief executive officers and other executives of all of these companies care enough about your health and safety to warrant sending those e-mail messages — or is this simply little more a marketing gimmick?
If these so-called flexible booking and disinfectant procedures are really an improvement for customers during this 2019 Novel Coronavirus situation, why were they not implemented previously in general? Will these procedures still be in place long after the 2019 Novel Coronavirus situation has been resolved?
This article is the latest in a series pertaining to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in an effort to get the facts out with information derived from reliable sources.
Other articles at The Gate which pertain to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus include:
- Four Reliable Resources For Travel and the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- Just Shut Down the Entire Planet. Problem Solved?
- Stop the Hyperbole: Travel is NOT Banned Between the United States and Europe…
- Travel From Europe to the United States Suspended for Most Foreign Nationals For 30 Days
- My Unproven Secret to Not Contracting a Virus in Years
- Pandemic of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Declared by World Health Organization
- Official Warning Issued Against Travel by Cruise Ship Due to 2019 Novel Coronavirus by the Department of State of the United States
- Now the Entire Country of Italy is Under Quarantine
- 16 Million People Quarantined in Northern Italy
- Are Masks Effective Against 2019 Novel Coronavirus That People are Stealing Them?
- As Many as 46,000 People May Have Died in the United States Alone From…
- Lodging Companies Issue Travel Waivers and Elite Status Extensions 2020 Due to 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- Update: More Airlines Suspended Change and Cancellation Fees 2020 Due To Coronavirus
- Airlines Which Suspended Change and Cancellation Fees 2020 Due To Coronavirus
- Should You Be Concerned About Coronavirus?
- Travel Alert February 2020: Italy Now Affected by 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- Travel Alert February 2020: Northern Italy Now Affected by 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- Travel Alert February 2020: South Korea Now Affected by 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- A Deal to Antarctica Because of 2019 Novel Coronavirus — But Hurry
- Update: Do Not Travel to China Due to 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Says United States Department of State
- Travel Alert January 2020: Hong Kong Now Affected by 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- Update January 2020: Additional Airlines Issue Travel Waivers for 2019 Novel Coronavirus
- Travel Alert January 2020: 2019 Novel Coronavirus Affecting Air Travel
Photograph ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
