Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • Wu's House, 123rd and LaGrange. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Palos Park board’s personal attacks continue on social media Blogger
  • Home Real Estate Realtor Sign. Photo courtesy of wikipedia
    Realtors twisting facts on Home Rule referendum Blogger
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas is clear choice for mayor over Brandon Johnson Blogger
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad wins in court to get child enrolled in school Chicago
  • Road construction concrete pavement worker. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Overnight road closures set for Roberts Road and 87th Street as part of Tri-State Tollway reconstruction work Chicago
  • Orland Fire Protection DIstrict firefighter/paramedics treat two individuals for injuries in an accident that resulted in one vehicle being flipped over on its roof at 151st near Harlem Avenue on Sunday March 26, 2023
    Lightning causes fire at Orland Home; car rollover no serious injuries; chimney fire extinguished Cook County
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census Census
  • Town President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts and Shamrocks luncheon. Cicero's senior services program is one of the most extensive in the Midwest offering an array of services including lawn cutting, snow shoveling, handiman assistance, transportation and a range of healthcare services. For more information visit www.TheTownofCicero.com
    The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance Baby Boomers
  • Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian struck by vehicle News
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Court orders ex to provide transportation so Dad can see his daughter Civil Rights
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign
    Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Repeat Gun Offenders At WGN Debate  Chicago
  • Orland Fire Protection District extinguish fire in apartment building at 144th and Ravinia Sunday Jan. 30, 2022
    One fatality in Orland Hills Home fire Cook County
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people Blogger
  • Writing my very first news story that ran in the Messenger Press Baby Boomers
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges Features
Palm tree views at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Vacation or vaccine, escaping the COVID pandemic

Posted on July 28, 2021August 9, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Vacation or vaccine, escaping the COVID pandemic
SHARE THIS STORY
65           
 
  
65
Shares

Loading

Vacation or vaccine, escaping the COVID pandemic

Escaping the COVID pandemic by going on an overseas vacation is a luxury that very few get to enjoy. But doing so was risky and you could find yourself in a serious jam, forced to quarantine for up to 14-days in hotel-provided room that you can’t leave with the only benefits of food, water, television and internet. The US will not allow you to return if you test positive for coronavirus. And the test is mandatory and must be taken less than three days before you depart

By Ray Hanania

My family is Middle Eastern and I have traveled all my life. The war of 1948 that chased my Christian parents and relatives from their homes in Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem spread them throughout the world to places including Jamaica, Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia and of course throughout the United States where they immigrated legally and nurtured a strong love for America that you often don’t see among the immigrants of today.

So I traveled a lot. Traveling is in my blood. If the coronavirus pandemic has done anything to me besides reinforce health concerns as a senior over the past 19 months, it has made me long for the ability to return to vacation.

I live a modest life, work very hard, and I save money. You don’t see that a lot in today’s society where many people want everything for free or believe they are entitled. I pay a lot of taxes but apparently not enough to cover the void created by laziness, entitlement and “envy spite.” That’s where someone wants what you have and hates you for it.

I finally got to travel last week, to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We had to prepare as a family. I got my Pfizer shots. I wear a mask almost all the time except when I am with my immediate family. I scrub my hands with sanitizer frequently and go through it as fast as I consume Diet Coke.

The beach view my family and I enjoyed for 10-days at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Nothing is more relaxing. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
The beach view my family and I enjoyed for 10-days at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Nothing is more relaxing. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Flying is always a concern. I would get sick on an airplane long before COVID became a frightening and deadly acronym. Long before coronavirus surpassed “gun control” and “abortion” as the most contentious political debate topics.

But if coronavirus did anything, it forced Americans to start focusing more on ways to stay healthy rather than on the kind of health insurance you have. Many illnesses have a lot to do not with the kind of healthcare you have, but your cleanliness practices. There are always exceptions, but for the most part, failing to take care of yourself and embracing unhealthy practices increase your chances of getting sick.

That’s why I am a big believer in wearing a face mask. I ignore the political exploitation of the COVID pandemic by the far right and left, focusing on the commonsense practicality of taking precautions.

It’s still risky going on vacation. And those who don’t take precautions or think a face mask is a violation of your Constitutional rights, are exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. The real COVIDS crazies are the ones who pretend it is not a threat and use it for their political profit.

Palm tree views at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Palm tree views at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

People who travel should get vaccinated and wear a face mask.

The Dominican Republic and the airlines require proof of a COVID vaccination to board the plane. When you return, you are required to take an antigen nasal test three days before you return. That requirement is imposed by the airlines and the country you are returning to. It makes sense. I know how Americans think about COVID. I don’t know how foreigners do.

I wore a mask throughout the vacation at the resort. At O’Hare Airport. On the Frontier airplane, which claims to be cheaper but really is more expensive than the regular airlines. At the airport on arrival in the Dominican Republic. Going through customs. Waiting for my bags. In the transit ride. At the hotel in the lobby. I only took it off when I was with my family in the room or on the beach. Or, when I was eating dinner.

The hotel took precautions, too. You had to wear plastic gloves to get food from the buffet. Every employee was vaccinated and wore masks all the time. Hand sanitizer was everywhere. It was like being at Costco on a weekend when they had free food stations throughout. Much of the food was cooked fresh.

Where I spent 10 day relaxing at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Where I spent 10 day relaxing at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

But at the end of the vacation, you had to take that test. The nurse told me one out of 20 people tested positive for COVID. Mostly people from places outside of the U.S. When you test positive for COVID, you are not allowed back into the United States or allowed on the plane. You are quarantined for two weeks.

What that means is you are placed in a room at the far end of the hotel where you sit for two weeks with air conditioning, a TV and Internet at no cost to you. They provide food, paid for by the government. You can’t go to the beach. The cleaning staff wears full body covers like the movie Contagion. You can’t leave the room. Two weeks of misery, then you purchase your own return ticket when released.

We took the test, and it was negative because we didn’t drop our guard. I don’t want to take a chance. I know I am responsible. The problem is, I don’t know how responsible other people are.

It only takes one exposure to get sick. And your state of health determines whether you live or die.

(Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and political columnist. This column was originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group in the Des Plaines Valley News, Southwest News-Herald, The Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers. For more information on Ray Hanania visit www.Hanania.com or email him at rghanania@gmail.com.)

 

Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

* indicates required field.

 

Select Email Format


  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Palos Park board’s personal attacks continue on social media - March 28, 2023
  • Realtors twisting facts on Home Rule referendum - March 28, 2023
  • Paul Vallas is clear choice for mayor over Brandon Johnson - March 28, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
65           
 
  
65
Shares
 
65
Shares
 
 
 65         
Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Features, General Topics, Opinion, rayhanania, Travel Tags:Coronavirus, COVID, Dominican Republic, face mask, great food, need for vacation, Pandemic, Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana, quarantine, social distancing, testing negative, testing positive, travel, vacation

Post navigation

Previous Post: Skeleton lightens motorists’ mood
Next Post: Eagles Basketball Tryouts begin for the 2021-2022 Season!

Related Posts

  • An (Orthodox) Easter blessing to all Blogger
  • Toys-R-Us front entrance from the Toys-R-Us website.
    Online shopping killing retail stores and our families, too Baby Boomers
  • Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power Blogger
  • The 316th Training Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base holds a student of the month competition with more than 500 accession students competing for the title. November’s top performer was Information Warfare Training Center Monterey Detachment Goodfellow’s Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) 3rd Class Brian Hilten.
    Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force Features
  • Korean War Veterans lithograph Ald. Edward M. Burke. Photo courtesy of Jerry Field
    Women and men Health Information available at VA Hospitals and Online Features
  • J.B. Pritzker receives endorsement from UFCW. Pritzker's Facebook Page
    Governor Pritzker needs a reboot on his tax plan Blogger

More Related Articles

Chicago Cultural Alliance offers wide range of ethnic programs Chicago
Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights Video Interview: Jeffery Leving discusses mission to defend Dads’ Rights Chicago
Richton Park Vaccine Event 4.8.21 State Rep. Meyers-Martin Announces Community Vaccination Event in Richton Park Chicago
English: Dwayne Johnson at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Photographer's blog post about this photo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) A good movie should be about entertainment Blogger
Chicago Immigrant Orchestra performance at St. Xavier College Oct. 7, 2022 St. Xavier to host Chicago Immigrant Orchestra performance Oct. 7 Culture
Members of The Illinois Senate approve a new budget in the wake of the coronavirus May 23, 2020. Photo courtesy of The Illinois Senate Legislature passes budget to help victims of COVID-19 Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Wu's House, 123rd and LaGrange. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Palos Park board’s personal attacks continue on social media
    March 28, 2023
  • Home Real Estate Realtor Sign. Photo courtesy of wikipedia
    Realtors twisting facts on Home Rule referendum
    March 28, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas is clear choice for mayor over Brandon Johnson
    March 28, 2023
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people
    March 21, 2023
  • Writing my very first news story that ran in the Messenger Press
    March 19, 2023
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park
    March 14, 2023

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east. Whoa is Wu’s House... Whoa is Wu's House in Palos Park Residents in Palos Park thought they had t... posted on March 14, 2023
  • Harlem Avenue closed from... Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian... posted on March 24, 2023
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith P... Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people By Ray Ha... posted on March 21, 2023
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign Johnson Refuses to Answer... Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Re... posted on March 22, 2023
  • Orland Fire Protection DIstrict firefighter/paramedics treat two individuals for injuries in an accident that resulted in one vehicle being flipped over on its roof at 151st near Harlem Avenue on Sunday March 26, 2023 Lightning causes fire at... Lightning causes fire at Orland Home; car rollover no serious injuries; chi... posted on March 27, 2023
  • NEWS
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad wins in court to get child enrolled in school
    March 27, 2023
  • Road construction concrete pavement worker. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Overnight road closures set for Roberts Road and 87th Street as part of Tri-State Tollway reconstruction work
    March 27, 2023
  • Orland Fire Protection DIstrict firefighter/paramedics treat two individuals for injuries in an accident that resulted in one vehicle being flipped over on its roof at 151st near Harlem Avenue on Sunday March 26, 2023
    Lightning causes fire at Orland Home; car rollover no serious injuries; chimney fire extinguished
    March 27, 2023
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census
    March 25, 2023
  • Town President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts and Shamrocks luncheon. Cicero's senior services program is one of the most extensive in the Midwest offering an array of services including lawn cutting, snow shoveling, handiman assistance, transportation and a range of healthcare services. For more information visit www.TheTownofCicero.com
    The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance
    March 25, 2023
  • Harlem Avenue closed from 86th and 87th pending investigation of pedestrian struck by vehicle
    March 24, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges
    March 18, 2023
  • Wreaths Across America Radio logo
    Wreaths Across America Radio Announces New Strategic Partnerships with Veteran Radio Programs
    February 6, 2023
  • Dr. Helen Edwards Fermilab particle physicist
    Foster, Durbin, Duckworth introduce resolution to name Fermilab Research Center after renowned physicist Dr. Helen Edwards
    February 3, 2023

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

First Installment of the Property Tax

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    March 17, 2023
  • Chicago Wolves 2022-2023 season
    Chicago Wolves top Stars for second win in a row
    October 25, 2022
  • Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! The team that does a lot of the work to help the Stagg High school band perform works behind the scenes like a NASCAR pit stop. The students are profiled in this feature
    Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop!
    August 31, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Fire Protection DIstrict firefighter/paramedics treat two individuals for injuries in an accident that resulted in one vehicle being flipped over on its roof at 151st near Harlem Avenue on Sunday March 26, 2023
    Lightning causes fire at Orland Home; car rollover no serious injuries; chimney fire extinguished
    March 27, 2023
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols
    Arab Americans oppose “MENA” bill and urge “ARAB” be recognized as an MBE and in Census
    March 25, 2023
  • Town President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts and Shamrocks luncheon. Cicero's senior services program is one of the most extensive in the Midwest offering an array of services including lawn cutting, snow shoveling, handiman assistance, transportation and a range of healthcare services. For more information visit www.TheTownofCicero.com
    The Town of Cicero Senior Center hosted the annual Hearts & Shamrocks dance
    March 25, 2023
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Psychological support for divorcing dads topic of CLE at Leving firm
    March 14, 2023
  • Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of "The Cherry Orchard" Photo courtesy Goodman Theatre
    Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard”
    March 6, 2023
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park
    March 14, 2023
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Ziyad Brothers reports that the appeal of Mediterranean foods continues to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job
    January 19, 2023

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme