On a whim, yesterday, I decided to take a look at flightradar24.com. FlightRadar is a site and an app showing every airplane in the world currently in flight. I expected to see a map of the United States where the skies were very much empty of flights. Much to my surprise I found the skies full of flights. The above screenshot was taken today at 17:42 EDT. It also shows flights going everywhere. Unfortunately for the United States many of the hotspots across the country are also major hubs for the airlines. What does all of this say about the effectiveness of the stay at home orders issued all across the country?
I personally am surprised there would be so many flights and so many people putting the country at risk of spreading the virus from the known hotspots to other parts of the country. I am not sure of the measures being taken by the FAA, TSA, airlines or passengers to limit the spread of the virus. Are passengers being questioned prior to boarding about recent health history? Are they being questioned regarding their potential contact with infected individuals? Are their temperatures being taken? When they arrive at their destination, are they going into self imposed quarantine or isolation?
All of this may seem a bit draconian and a further infringement by government on our freedoms but how can we expect to bring the current crisis under control if we do not follow certain commonsense measures?
We can criticize government all we want and we can criticize this administration but for everything we criticize we must also take personal responsibility for our own actions. I do not want to be responsible for infecting anyone with the virus, especially a family member or a loved one. I have no symptoms but that does not mean anything. Just like many other illnesses, on can be totally asymptomatic and still be a carrier and spreading of the disease. The only real way to know is to be tested for the virus and for the antibodies your body develops if you have had the disease. It is easy to believe you are not a carrier since you have and have not had any symptoms but if everyone has this attitude you have no idea who you may have come in contact with who may have been infected.
So let's not be cavalier. Take the appropriate precautions, keep your distance, wash your hands and show some concern for your fellow man.