For the next several weeks, we are compiling the thoughts and experiences of our staff, writers and readers about the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. As a travel publication, we’ve all been affected during these difficult times, as have many of our clients, friends, partners and more.

Below, hear more from our freelance writers, intrepid travelers who are often all over the world at any given time; our Globility Board, a vetted group of our subscribers also usually around the globe; and from us, the team behind Global Traveler, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com.

How is the current situation affecting you? When do you expect normalcy to return? Will you travel right away? Do you have upcoming trips planned? Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.

From our team:
With my son’s spring break nearing, we had to put any plans on hold for now. My son’s 11th birthday party was canceled due to social distancing and the laser tag location being closed.

We always visit my family in Florida every July and I have not booked that trip at this time. I’ve wondered if I should go ahead and book Florida for late July now for two reasons: hoping the tickets might be cheaper in addition to hoping coronavirus will be over by then.

My son and I love to travel, explore and see new places, so it is tough for us to not have adventures and trips to look forward to.

Once this is all over we will be so ready to travel and explore! I just hope tickets won’t be super expensive since the airlines will try to make up lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Angela Page, account executive

I had time in May blocked off for a trip to the Dominican Republic; luckily, I hadn’t booked any of our flights before the situation worsened so right now the trip is simply paused.

I had to cancel a surprise party for my cousin’s 11th birthday at the end of March and also put on pause an anniversary trip planned for the end of April.

I know it will take some time not to feel anxious about germs when I’m at an airport or on an airplane/train.

I have faith we will get through these dark times and travel will be a greater experience than it was before. For now, we must do our part and take the necessary precautions when traveling and/or stay home if we don’t have to go anywhere.
Yasser Ogando, production and advertising coordinator

From our writers:
I was mostly (95 percent) in self-isolation from the time I returned from Spain, on Feb. 16. And, even more so, when I heard that my daughter — who had traveled with me — was very sick and during the weeks of fear until we finally got her test results. She, thankfully, tested negative. By then, the “stay home, stay safe” advice was very much in effect.

I am almost completely sheltering in place. I returned and leased a car, but didn’t shake hands or get near anyone. And I drove alone to the beach for a walk on an empty boardwalk; to the pharmacy who brought the meds to the car. Happily, my local deli delivered corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. And, I’ll call them again.

I canceled three formal trips: a Manhattan hotel weekend because I could not deal with the thought of a train, taxis, the possibility of being sick in a hotel room, unnecessarily; Los Angeles for two weeks, including a road trip south, at the end of April; and Cannes May 28–June 17. The VRBO apartment owner actually canceled our reservation some weeks ago; I canceled all the hotels, but still have to deal with the airline tickets.

I didn’t go to my niece’s crowded engagement party in New York City March 7; they canceled the LA wedding in April.

Frankly, when I saw the long lines in a crowded, confined hall at an airport, I felt claustrophobic. I have always preferred small boat, river boat, charter boat and barge cruising and am convinced I will never travel on a ship with more than a couple of hundred passengers. And, I decided to start visiting local places that often get overlooked.

In recent seasons, I’ve been advising new-retirees to travel to the most distant and most difficult places, sooner, rather than later, while they are in the peak of good health, because many of the other places, i.e. Paris, Vegas, cruises, are far easier on aging bodies. If someone were to ask today, I’d recommend local-or-not-so-local roadtrips to uncrowded venues.

I also think it is a good time to armchair travel and create (and research) future “bucket list” travel. I plan to write about some places folks can add to their bucket list. Japan, Cape Winelands and the Riviera aren’t going away, it’s just our trips there are postponed for a while.
Irvina Lew

My own personal experience: Currently stranded in Barcelona while my family is in another country that has affected severe travel restrictions. I’m working from home in Barcelona (government here mandated everyone at home except for essential tasks and grocery shopping), but the working from home part is kind of normal for me. In any case, not too bad, have plenty of space, food and sunlight!
Miquel Ros

We are a very active family. I have two athletic sons, playing two sports at a time every season. Everything has now been canceled. After working for months to make the All-Star basketball team, my youngest son learned the game would not happen days before it was set to be played.

School is canceled and we are homeschooling. This is something I never, ever thought would happen. My boys’ favorite pastime is finding creative ways to torture each other anytime they’re in each other’s presence. After a few bumpy first days, and countless reminders that stress lowers the immune system, fights lessened. Keeping to a flexible schedule helps. We have a set schedule so they know what to expect and that gives them a sense of security, but if something comes up, we’re able to move things around. I work when they’re engaged in their school studies.

They miss their friends. They see the neighbors, but they don’t touch each other, stay six feet away and don’t share sports equipment. They may ride bikes together or scooter, but keep a healthy distance.

Both their birthdays are coming up and they’ve been dreaming how they’d celebrate for months. I’m afraid to tell them they might not be able to celebrate the way they envisioned.

We’re supposed to go to Italy in the summer. I bought trip insurance. It’s not until August, so we are hoping it’ll all be over by then. I’m speaking via text to an RV dealership and we may buy a trailer so we could go into nature by ourselves for a week or so. We’d stay away from campgrounds and just hunker down in the woods or by the ocean, away from people. Just to get out of the house.

My husband and I are sharing mornings to ourselves. We have a schedule where he’ll take the kids to the beach or a hike while I get to do yoga for an hour. Then, I’ll do the same for him. None of it is perfect, but it is giving us a chance to practice communication and relationship skills in a way that is bringing us closer. That’s an unexpected gift.

Also, I wrote an article about staying healthy naturally while traveling and the coronavirus if you want to check it out.
Rina Nehdar, lafamilytravel.com

From our Globility Board:
I’m voluntarily sheltering in place, I’ve had to cancel five trips so far, and I still need to cancel three more for this month and two in May, all international and with each trip involving several countries.

I am going to refrain from attending life events I have been invited to during this time, but it will not affect my future as a traveler. I plan to get back to traveling after the pandemic is over.

Even for those who wish to keep traveling, it has become quite difficult to do so, at least internationally, due to multiple restrictions, lockdowns and other measures put in place by individual countries, not to mention flight cancellations. I have been referring to the list published by IATA for updates.
Jean-Christophe Murat

So far, I’ve only had to cancel two domestic trips: one to Manhattan (for which I would otherwise be on a flight to JFK as I type this) and one to Jacksonville in mid-April. As for exposure, I have not had definitive contact with a known case yet, but I work in a high-risk hospital environment and the only certainty is that testing is still extremely limited. For now, I’m collecting Delta Air Lines future travel credits and hope to apply them to a trip as soon as there is more clarity as to the pandemic status.
Mike Russo