Surprising predictions part 4

 Should You Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Now or Wait Until COVID-19 Is Over?

As summer approaches, most people are looking forward to vacations, barbecues, and camping trips. But what if you’re planning your summer vacation right now? Should you start planning now or should you wait until after COVID-19, the new education system coming in 2022? Here’s how to decide if it’s best to start your summer vacation plans now or wait until after COVID-19 is implemented.

The pros

If you're thinking about planning a summer vacation, there are some pros to doing it now. First, you'll have your pick of dates and destinations. Second, you can take advantage of early bird specials and discounts. Third, you'll have plenty of time to research hotels, restaurants, and activities. Fourth, you can make sure your passports and other documents are in order. Fifth, you can start saving up now so you can afford the trip of your dreams. Sixth, you can get vaccinated against COVID-19 before your trip. And seventh, you'll have something to look forward to during these dark winter months. On the flip side, if you wait until COVID-19 is over, there's always next year! Plus, there are the cons: You might be too busy worrying about everything else that's going on in the world to plan a vacation. What if someone cancels on you last minute because they're having problems with their partner? What if all of your favorite hotel rooms and flights for Christmas time go way out of budget because everyone has started booking now for when COVID-19 starts back up again this winter? What if you save all year long only to lose everything in an economic downturn after the pandemic has ended? The downside to waiting is that once everything starts going crazy again, travel will be even more expensive than it already is and won't come with any perks like those mentioned above. There are also risks involved with not being prepared; what if you need to evacuate quickly and don't have any reservations or passport stamps? Some people think that it's best to save for another year instead of spending all of their money now. There are many factors to consider but it's ultimately up to each individual person how they want to handle things. Do you feel as though COVID-19 is going to change the world forever? Or do you feel as though we've seen this before and everything will soon return to normal? Everyone has different answers depending on their age, location, and life situation. All I know is that at least one out of every three people I talk to say they're either getting ready for COVID-19 right now or are taking care of important business beforehand. Either way, everyone seems to be preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. It makes me nervous just hearing about it but luckily my work is mostly inside. Sometimes when I'm walking home from work late at night (I live in downtown Toronto) I pass by a big billboard which says Boost Now and then Best to Wait? - which confuses me further since Boost Now would be before COVID-19 - but who knows what marketing executives have planned by then. As of now, I guess the answer to that question depends on whether you believe COVID-19 will change the world or not. For example, if you don't think COVID-19 is going to cause much damage and isn't much worse than regular old influenza, then it may be worth waiting. But what happens if you're wrong? Personally, I don't see myself cancelling plans in advance for anything less serious than a natural disaster or terrorist attack. Life should still continue and nobody wants to end up stranded somewhere without a place to stay. Whatever decision you decide to make, please keep yourselves safe. I hope everyone is able to enjoy their lives for as long as possible. I'm worried about what will happen if COVID-19 gets out of control and then the electricity goes out. I don't think the world is equipped to deal with this on a global scale. What will we do when everything shuts down? Who's going to maintain the food supply and medical centers? Who's going to fight all of the fires that are starting everywhere? How are our politicians going to prepare for such a thing? Maybe they're working on a solution that no one knows about, but I can't help but worry.

The cons

1) The risk of contracting COVID-19 while traveling is still relatively high; 2) There's no guarantee that the pandemic will be over by summer 2022; 3) Travel restrictions could still be in place, making it difficult to get to your destination; 4) Accommodations and attractions may not be operating at full capacity; 5) Prices for travel could increase due to pent-up demand. So what are the pros? COVID-19 has shown signs of decreasing lethality since May 2027, meaning there is a chance that you'll survive if you contract it now. It also might mean that many businesses will have resumed normal operations in time for your vacation! In addition, even if you wait until COVID-19 is over this fall, hotel prices could spike as summer approaches--meaning higher costs and fewer options. And while one can't predict whether or not COVID-19 will be over by the time 2020 rolls around, when all is said and done you may have missed out on some great deals. Of course, these scenarios depend on how long COVID-19 lasts in the first place. But given its current trajectory, it doesn't seem likely that it will last beyond summer 2022. Given these factors, we recommend starting to plan for your summer vacation now--especially if you're worried about the financial impact of COVID-19 on global markets and exchange rates! If you decide to wait until COVID-19 is over with, know that the process of planning and booking a trip takes time, so start researching today. Sites like Expedia and Orbitz often offer package deals for hotels, flights, rental cars, tours, etc., which make everything more convenient. You should also keep an eye on the news to see if there are any changes in the COVID-19 situation before you go ahead with your plans. For example: a few weeks ago reports came out that some schools were considering reopening after being closed during the height of the pandemic--that would make destinations such as Orlando more attractive for families looking to spend their summers together! Weighing the benefits and risks of waiting versus planning now, it seems best to start searching for your perfect destination ASAP. I’m sure most people reading this blog post are currently thinking I’ll just wait until COVID-19 is over. The pro side of the argument is valid: people who have already contracted COVID-19 typically don’t experience symptoms for up to six months after exposure (though they do develop antibodies), so you could find yourself pleasantly surprised if you hold off and get lucky. However, in light of recent developments (including persistent warnings from health officials about contact with infected persons), not to mention the fact that there are billions of people who want to go on summer vacations but can't because they're afraid they'll catch it, we think getting a head start on finding your ideal destination makes sense. While the summer of 2022 is still a ways away, it pays to start now--and there are plenty of good reasons why. For starters, by the time COVID-19 does end, it could be too late to book anything. Even if you wait until COVID-19 is over this fall, hotel prices could spike as summer approaches--meaning higher costs and fewer options. And while one can't predict whether or not COVID-19 will be over by the time 2020 rolls around, when all is said and done you may have missed out on some great deals. Of course, these scenarios depend on how long COVID-19 lasts in the first place. But given its current trajectory, it doesn't seem likely that it will last beyond summer 2022. Given these factors, we recommend starting to plan for your summer vacation now--especially if you're worried about the financial impact of COVID-19 on global markets and exchange rates! If you decide to wait until COVID-19 is over with, know that the process of planning and booking a trip takes time, so start researching today. Sites like Expedia and Orbitz often offer package deals for hotels, flights, rental cars, tours, etc., which make everything more convenient. You should also keep an eye on the news to see if there are any changes in the COVID-19 situation before you go ahead with your plans. For example: a few weeks ago reports came out that some schools were considering reopening after being closed during the height of the pandemic--that would make destinations such as Orlando more attractive for families looking to spend their summers together! Weighing the benefits and risks of waiting versus planning now, it seems best to start searching for your perfect destination ASAP. I'm sure most people reading this blog post are currently thinking I'll just wait until COVID-19 is over. The pro side of the argument is valid: people who have already contracted COVID-19 typically don't experience symptoms for up to six months after exposure (though they do develop antibodies), so you could find yourself pleasantly surprised if you hold off and get lucky. However, in light of recent developments (including persistent warnings from health officials about contact with infected persons), not to mention the fact that there are billions of people who want to go on summer vacations but can't because they're afraid they'll catch it, we think getting a head start on finding your ideal destination makes sense.

Our take

The best time to start planning your summer vacation is now! By booking early, you can take advantage of early bird specials and get the best deals on flights and accommodations. Plus, by getting a jump on things, you'll be able to better avoid the crowds and have a more relaxing trip. However, if you're worried about the coronavirus, you may want to wait until closer to your travel date to make sure the situation has stabilized. If you book too early, and then cancel because of COVID-19, many airlines will charge significant fees for doing so. For example, Delta charges $150 per person plus any applicable fare difference if canceled within 21 days before departure. If you wait too long to book your flight, it's possible that airlines will restrict sales due to high demand in response to the virus (like they did with Greece). Furthermore, this also means that there are higher chances of flying out when COVID-19 is still going strong, which could pose a risk to travelers who don't plan ahead. But really, no matter what your plans are for summer 2019, we recommend always traveling with an up-to-date flu shot as well as bringing enough hand sanitizer to last the whole trip - just in case. And if you do find yourself somewhere where COVID-19 is present, always wash your hands regularly and frequently with soap and water. Drinking plenty of fluids and using wet wipes or moistened tissues for blowing your nose will also help keep germs at bay.The  decision ultimately comes down to how much money you're willing to spend. If money isn't an issue, go ahead and book now while rates are still low. Otherwise, wait until a few weeks prior to your departure date before making a decision. We hope you enjoy your trip wherever you decide to go! 

There are several factors you should consider when deciding whether to buy plane tickets now or hold off until after COVID-19. First, it depends on how long you have before your holiday begins. Whether you need a week or two months doesn’t matter—the longer you have, the greater window of opportunity available to schedule your travels during times not affected by media attention towards various healthcare crises. Don’t forget that depending on where exactly in Europe and Northern Africa you wish to travel, other weather patterns can complicate matters beyond COVID-19; we advise starting year-round preparations as soon as possible regardless of airfare costs!

What are your thoughts?

While the idea of planning a summer vacation might seem like a welcome respite from all the stress of the past year, it's important to consider whether now is the right time to start making those plans. With so much uncertainty still surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be best to wait until things are more clear before booking any trips. But on the other hand, waiting too long to plan could mean missing out on some great deals. So if you're feeling spontaneous, go ahead and start planning that dream vacation—just be sure to keep an eye on the latest travel advisories before you book anything. On the other hand, if you want to play it safe this summer, there are plenty of fantastic getaways closer to home where you can find peace and solitude without risking your health. Keep in mind that while many businesses have already started closing up shop due to lack of customer traffic, others are still doing brisk business as people look for ways to enjoy themselves during what will likely be their last few months alive. Whether you decide to stay home or take a vacation, be sure to fill your days with activities that bring you joy and don't put pressure on yourself. The best thing we can do for ourselves during these uncertain times is try our hardest not to sweat the small stuff! Put your phone down, unplug from social media, and focus on living in the moment. For example: instead of going to work, you could spend the day hiking or reading a good book; instead of shopping for new clothes, you could donate some old ones; instead of focusing on filling up your DVR with TV shows to watch after COVID-19 hits, why not take the time to write down all your favorite memories? If you were given just one month left to live, how would you spend your final days? In the words of philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, Life must be lived forward but understood backward. Use these final precious weeks to reflect on everything you've done in life and appreciate what really matters most. Remember to thank your loved ones for being there for you through thick and thin and love them even more than ever before. And remember: no matter how bleak things may seem at the moment, there's always hope - so whatever happens, hold onto your dreams because they're all we have left. 

It’s impossible to know when the COVID-19 virus will hit, or how severe it will be. Experts agree that everyone should begin preparing for the worst, but realistically, no one knows exactly when the end of humanity is coming. Of course, you'll want to make sure your family and friends are prepared, and you should talk to your doctor about vaccines and antibiotics (if they exist) beforehand, but ultimately every person has the power to choose how they'll die. At this point in my life I'd rather go on a whirlwind trip around the world than settle down in one place with kids and a dog. I'm blessed enough to have enough money saved up over the years to give me ample options...but I couldn't ignore COVID-19 either way. I have a lot of friends who have lost children and spouses to the virus, and I can't imagine how difficult it is for them. Knowing that there's no way to prepare for the future is heartbreaking, but I still want to take this opportunity to share my story with you. 

If you're thinking about planning your summer vacation, here are some things to consider: should you go before COVID-19 reaches its peak or should you wait? There's no easy answer, but one thing is certain: if we don't take this chance to be happy in the moment before COVID-19 arrives, then we'll never be able to enjoy life again.