16 years & 10,000 posts, and I'll finally see the Flames live

[tvp2003]

Was planning to go to NY as well; now not sure if it will happen. I'd be okay with it, but my dad (who is 70) has concerns, which I understand. We'd also be staying with family, and they have people over 65 living in the house as well.

Going to see how things play out this week; hopefully for those who are going that the games don't get cancelled (although I tend to agree, the way things are trending it may not end up being a question of "if" but "when"...)

[Itse]

Originally Posted by manwiches

I'm headed to NYC on Mar 19, and will be heading down the subway to watch the Flames take on the Devils that same night. I'm going with my wife and 5 year old son, and we aren't being deterred either. We will just have lots of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes with us.

I just checked the CDC website, and there is NO travel advisories to NYC and area, despite NY State declaring a state of emergency. The state of emergency, as far as I can tell, is just to remove the red tape for bureaucrats to take appropriate safety measures if that time comes.

If you are at the Devils game, I'll be lower bowl section 15, wearing my Valimaki jersey. haha

You seem to be missing the point.

It's not that I'm scared of COVID-19, I'm a healthy middle-aged person, I'd be fine even if I did catch it. (Although it can be a really rough disease from what I've heard.)

I'm worried I'll be staring at locked Madison Square Garden doors once I'm there

Bans to public events have already happened in Italy, Switzerland, France, and Denmark (although because Denmark is a socialist dystopia, they just gave a recommendation, which was enough to cancel a ton of events and have sports events played to empty stadiums). The German health minister has already called for it, so it's going to start happening in Germany too in the next few days. (A federal system like Germany is going to be a bit slower to react.)

To go from 100+ cases and "keeping an eye on the situation" to 1000+ cases and banning large public gatherings it took 8 days in France and 8 days in Germany.

Tri-state area went to 100+ cases today, and it's significantly smaller than France or Germany. If I was a betting man I'd put money down on Flames@Devils not being played in front of a live audience.

I'm just hoping they really, really don't want to cancel St. Patricks day in New York. (But honestly they definitely should.)

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Was planning to go to NY as well; now not sure if it will happen. I'd be okay with it, but my dad (who is 70) has concerns, which I understand. We'd also be staying with family, and they have people over 65 living in the house as well.

Going to see how things play out this week; hopefully for those who are going that the games don't get cancelled (although I tend to agree, the way things are trending it may not end up being a question of "if" but "when"...)

You have to make your own decision, but I think the fact you'd be staying with people over 65, and therefore in the higher risk group, should weigh heavily in that decision.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

You have to make your own decision, but I think the fact you'd be staying with people over 65, and therefore in the higher risk group, should weigh heavily in that decision.

Which is why I've been scoping out the possibility of booking a last minute clearance hotel room...

[Strange Brew]

Yeah it's not so much your own personal health risk, but the risk of being exposed to the virus and infecting others in your community.

I travel a fair bit, just within North America though lately. I feel fine and think it's extremely unlikely I've been exposed to the virus. But my Dad is 90 and I usually travel to Calgary to visit him about once every month or two. I'm supposed to be there in two weeks with my family and don't know if that's such a hot idea right now.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Which is why I've been scoping out the possibility of booking a last minute clearance hotel room...

Check out the Assemblage. Great location, and for NY incredibly large rooms that include a kitchen. Often shockingly affordable.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by Itse

You seem to be missing the point.



It's not that I'm scared of COVID-19, I'm a healthy middle-aged person, I'd be fine even if I did catch it. (Although it can be a really rough disease from what I've heard.)



I'm worried I'll be staring at locked Madison Square Garden doors once I'm there



Bans to public events have already happened in Italy, Switzerland, France, and Denmark (although because Denmark is a socialist dystopia, they just gave a recommendation, which was enough to cancel a ton of events and have sports events played to empty stadiums). The German health minister has already called for it, so it's going to start happening in Germany too in the next few days. (A federal system like Germany is going to be a bit slower to react.)



To go from 100+ cases and "keeping an eye on the situation" to 1000+ cases and banning large public gatherings it took 8 days in France and 8 days in Germany.



Tri-state area went to 100+ cases today, and it's significantly smaller than France or Germany. If I was a betting man I'd put money down on Flames@Devils not being played in front of a live audience.



I'm just hoping they really, really don't want to cancel St. Patricks day in New York. (But honestly they definitely should.)

Gotcha. Very valid point, and to that end, I am glad I paid only 15 bucks a ticket on resale. If it's played without an audience, and I can't attend, c'est la vie. I feel bad if anybody paid high prices on tickets though.

That being said, I am hoping places like the museums etc won't be shuttered, as we are there for 5 days. We were planning on visiting the zoo, museum of natural history, ground zero museum, and the aircraft carrier museum.

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Check out the Assemblage. Great location, and for NY incredibly large rooms that include a kitchen. Often shockingly affordable.

Well this place looks cool! Thanks! (Adding to future trip plans).

[Itse]

Originally Posted by manwiches

Gotcha. Very valid point, and to that end, I am glad I paid only 15 bucks a ticket on resale. If it's played without an audience, and I can't attend, c'est la vie. I feel bad if anybody paid high prices on tickets though.

That being said, I am hoping places like the museums etc won't be shuttered, as we are there for 5 days. We were planning on visiting the zoo, museum of natural history, ground zero museum, and the aircraft carrier museum.

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

I've already got an email promising full refunds if the games get canceled, so not really worried about that.

However, it's a bit different when I'm flying from Helsinki to New York specifically to see that effing game :P Tickets to the game are one of the lesser costs of the trip.

The cost of the hotel plummeted, so there's that.

In any case I know it's kind of selfish to complain about my effing hockey game, but it was meant to be a damned special event for me, and I really need to vent the anxiety somewhere. Sorry everybody.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Itse

I've already got an email promising full refunds if the games get canceled, so not really worried about that.

However, it's a bit different when I'm flying from Helsinki to New York specifically to see that effing game :P Tickets to the game are one of the lesser costs of the trip.

The cost of the hotel plummeted, so there's that.

In any case I know it's kind of selfish to complain about my effing hockey game, but it was meant to be a damned special event for me, and I really need to vent the anxiety somewhere. Sorry everybody.

Time to fly to Calgary instead and see them here!

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Time to fly to Calgary instead and see them here!

Too bad the team is in New York

(Honestly though, flights to Calgary are crazy expensive for me )

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I’m headed to NYC too, to see the Flames play the Rangers and Islanders.

Not deterred by the Coronavirus.

Correcting myself here. I have cancelled my trip.

[Buff]

Sorry to Itse. I know you were really looking forward to finally seeing the Flames play live.

[mikephoen]

Sorry Itse. Hopefully you can get most or all of your money back and replan the trip for the future.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Itse

In any case I know it's kind of selfish to complain about my effing hockey game, but it was meant to be a damned special event for me, and I really need to vent the anxiety somewhere. Sorry everybody.

It's not selfish at all. It's a very special occasion that got ruined because of events outside of your control, and cost a crapload of money.

Should you find yourself willing to travel to Calgary I'll try to take you to a game. Least we can do as a community.

[Since1984]

Did Itse fly out to the US before the travel ban goes in to effect Friday @ midnight?

[TheIronMaiden]

I hope that everything works so that you will be able to watch a game live in time.

[manwiches]

Yea, update on mine and my family's trip.

We are going to cancel. As noted before, we aren't concerned with effects of the virus on ourselves, but just being responsible citizens of the world and don't want to risk giving it to anybody else.

Just hope the airlines/hotel can reimburse us now.

[TheScorpion]

Ouch.

Hit me up if you're ever in town, Itse, I'll take you to a game.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Since1984

Did Itse fly out to the US before the travel ban goes in to effect Friday @ midnight?

No, we'll be staying here in Helsinki. There's a general recommendation to not travel anywhere right now, and there wouldn't have been much anything in New York anyway. Everything is closing down. Plus who knows what hassle there would have been. Possibility of quarantine for example. Not something my insurance would have covered.

We were at least able to reschedule the plane tickets and hotel to late June, so we didn't lose all the money we put into this. (Would've moved it after next season starts, but that wasn't possible.) The whole thing has been a ton of work and stress, and we're emotionally both pretty beat. My GF was also really looking forward to seeing her Rangers. Right now we're sitting here drinking beers and watching Blues Brothers as a comfort movie.

Who knows how things are going to be in June, but it is what it is. I kind of want to say "it's just money", because that's mostly what it is...

But it is pretty rough. I have no idea when I/we'll be able to scrape together enough money for another trip, this was already stretching things. Being a handicap taxi driver isn't the best job either in this situation either. All our customers are likely to stay home so my income is likely dropping to zero too, and it's going to be a tough time for the whole company. At least i've got a good boss who has promised to pay us what he can regardless. A trip to New York in June... Who knows what my finances will be then 🙄

(Finland has started its shutdown today. All events of 500+ people canceled, risk groups should stay home, lectures canceled etc. You've seen it in other countries by now.)

I'm sure I'll get some perspective on the whole thing eventually, but today I feel pretty defeated. #### covid-19.

The dream loves on however. I think next time I'll try to make it all the way to Calgary.

Thank you all for your support. (From my GF too.) It does make the night better.

GFG.