COVID-19

Things we aren't talking about instead of COVID-19 should be:

1. Malaria kills over 400,000 people a year
2. Over 10,000 people in the US have died this year from the flu
3. Ebola is still an issue and has killed over 11,500

and let's not forget SARS has a 50% fatality rate.  COVID-19 has a 2% fatality rate.  It drops to 00.2% if you are under 50 and don't live in China!

As far as travel, it's your choice.  It is NOT stopping me.  I am healthy and don't have a compromised immune system.  If I had any condition, yes I would stay at home.

I've been watching cruise prices and they are dropping fast.  Princess and Cunard moved the Sapphire Princess and Queen Elizabeth ships from Asia to Australia.  I wasn't interested in the Sapphire cruises, however, Queen Elizabeth is doing a 27 day cruise from Sydney to Sydney on April 12th around Australia!   We are booked on the Regal Princess next March for 13 days and our price is $2,040.   We took off the free wi-fi and drinks package and if we left those on it was $3060.20.   Because we've travelled so much with Princess we already get free internet an we'll pay for the few drinks we want.

Cunard prices went on sale and in less than 24 hours most cruises sold out.  The 27 day cruise is $2,014 for a balcony cabin!  That's in Canadian dollars, before tax.  It's cheaper than our 13 day Australia/NZ cruise!  We are wait listed for a balcony cabin but the wait list is long and it's doubtful we will get a cabin.

There are still cabins on a 25 day cruise from Sydney to Vancouver!  Prices are amazing and only one way air fare is required.  We've done this cruise and loved it!  I like Cunard and find it a step up from Princess.  It's very British, darts, afternoon tea that's wonderful and they dress properly in the dining room.

If anyone is looking for a great price to Alaska, call me.  Prices are dropping!

I am still following David Abel, a passenger who contacted COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess.  Both David 75, and his wife Sally are still in a Tokyo Hospital testing positive for the virus.  He is an insulin dependent diabetic.  They have received NO treatment.  They both had pneumonia and didn't require oxygen.  It's all viral and there is no medicine that will help.  You use your own immune system to fight it.  They are doing VERY well and hopefully back in the UK soon.