HEADING TO FLORIDA

12/9/2021 

8:30 AM

On AMTRAK on my way to Florida.  I am ON AMTRAK because I was originally supposed to fly via Jetblue today, however, even though I am Covid free, my body is still recovering from having the virus.  I get congested and I am occasionally stuffy and for flying that is a bad combination.  If my sinuses aren’t correct then my ears won’t “pop”.  So, being that I am supposed to be in Florida today (Thursday), I had to get on AMTRAK yesterday, so I could be here.  This is normally not a bother since when I am in Florida I usually go back to New York by AMTRAK.

This trip though so far has been a near disaster.  It was already stressful because it is Florida, one of the leading states in Corona virus and a state led by a governor who is hell bent on ignoring mask and vaccine mandates.  I have absolutely no desire to visit this state or to go anywhere while I am in this state.  

My train is late.  So far it is about two hours late.  We were supposed to arrive in DeLand at 11:30 this morning.  It is 9:45 and we just got to Savannah GA.  It’s looking like we won’t get to DeLand until 2 or 3.

Next, there are people riding who won’t adhere to the mask mandate.  AMTRAK requires that everyone on the train where a mask at all times unless they are actively eating or drinking or if they are under 2 years of age.    There are some idiots who won’t keep their mask on.  One lady in particular keeps her mask off and has talked on her cellphone for most of her ride.  She boarded the train in Philadelphia.  Most of the passengers though have complied with the mandate.  Except for eating my food and a brief phone conversation, I have kept my mask on.  I am not trying to get re-infected.  Human behavior and these variants though are going to keep this pandemic going for decades.