Should I stay or should I go? (Credit to the Clash)

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

K, hive mind, getting understandable pressure from our rental agent. What say you? I live in Massachusetts. I am scheduled to go on my annual beach vacation to Maine in a couple of weeks. Massachusetts has been a hot spot -- 3rd highest death toll in the country from the virus. Maine has successfully squelched a big surge except in the southern (most populated) portion of the state. Until Monday, anyone entering Maine had to self-quarantine for 2 weeks. As of Monday, if you come from New Hampshire or Vermont, you need not quarantine. If you come from anywhere else from today until June 30th, you still must self-quarantine. From July 1, if you come from any other state besides New Hampshire or Vermont, you have a choice to either self-quarantine for 2 weeks or present a negative result from a Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival to Maine. DH and I will come from Massachusetts. ODS will come from Maryland and Pennsylvania (there's a woman involved, LOL). YDS will come from New Hampshire and his DGF from Maine. So, putting aside for the moment the risk that we might infect ourselves, some of us must quarantine and some can move about.

A two week quarantine means we must sit in our cottage. We are allowed out for "essential service". The cottage is not on the beach, the beach is around the corner. Is a day at the beach essential? The cottage sits on a tidal river, which is fun, but is it essential? Can I walk the dog down the street? Our area has suburban size lots, but since it is a cottage community, many of the side streets are densely populated. Can we fish? Can we even just walk the beach at low tide? We can't eat out. We can't shop all of the fun little stores downtown. Is getting takeout steamed lobster essential?

We've been renting for the same time period for 20 years. I don't want to stiff the owners. They have a mortgage and taxes to pay. I like my realtor. She has become a family friend and has served us well. And I CRAVE my time at the ocean. But, this all just doesn't sound relaxing to me. On the flip side, many Mainers (including my realtor) are understandably highly stressed about the lost tourism revenue during this fleeting summer season and are pressuring renters to "come on up". I'm just not feeling it this year. But, then again, a long hot summer here in the burbs isn't exactly appealing, either.

I am sure I can get a refund of my deposit, but that's not my primary concern. I'm more concerned about losing my slot on the calendar and of hurting my realtor and the cottage owner. I was thinking of offering to leave my deposit in place to be applied to a future rental (probably 2021 if we get the feared second wave or if numbers spike due to the protests or due to the influx of tourists). Do you think that is a fair compromise?

I just don't know what to do.

[Lizard Queen]

What do the others think?

Can you change the week until after July 1, and just do the test?

[swamp]

If you go there will be trouble, if you stay it will be double. 

[jerseygirl]

We’ve also been renting the same beach house at jersey shore for about 20 years. It’s right on the beach and loved sitting on deck looking at the water. Well big dunes put up to prevent another flooding disaster like Sandy so now have a view of a giant sand pile only. So with Covid and in risk group we decided not to go this year. Beach is fine but we wouldn’t go to restaurants and stores So no

[pulmonarymd]

Not a prayer I would go if you have to quarantine. Why spend the money. I understand not wanting to lose the spot, so I think what you proposed is a reasonable compromise. But if I have to spend money and stay in place, no thanks. I would do day trips at home first

[chiver78]

Jun 11, 2020 7:49:29 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

K, hive mind, getting understandable pressure from our rental agent. What say you? I live in Massachusetts. I am scheduled to go on my annual beach vacation to Maine in a couple of weeks. Massachusetts has been a hot spot -- 3rd highest death toll in the country from the virus. Maine has successfully squelched a big surge except in the southern (most populated) portion of the state. Until Monday, anyone entering Maine had to self-quarantine for 2 weeks. As of Monday, if you come from New Hampshire or Vermont, you need not quarantine. If you come from anywhere else from today until June 30th, you still must self-quarantine. From July 1, if you come from any other state besides New Hampshire or Vermont, you have a choice to either self-quarantine for 2 weeks or present a negative result from a Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival to Maine. DH and I will come from Massachusetts. ODS will come from Maryland and Pennsylvania (there's a woman involved, LOL). YDS will come from New Hampshire and his DGF from Maine. So, putting aside for the moment the risk that we might infect ourselves, some of us must quarantine and some can move about.

I'm not sure the bold is accurate. I think all of you would have to self-quarantine if you arrive and plan to stay together. that said, open air space was considered okay, even as you quarantine. it's when you would be coming into contact with people that would be off-limits. 

I would probably still go, but I've not been as locked down as others have been with all the things involved in moving. prior to the weekend I packed the POD, I was almost completely locked down and the thought of travelling for a vacation would have made me twitch. now, not so much. 

not sure if that helps at all...

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

If I have to quarantine I am not going anywhere.  I don't have that kind of vacation time to burn.  If I am going to be stuck in doors I might as well be stuck in doors at home which is free.

[wvugurl26]

I wouldn't spend the money to go on vacation and be stuck in quarantine. No thank you. I can do that at home for free.

[Lizard Queen]

I wouldn't discount family togetherness as children grow up and leave the nest, but the others may not want to quarantine either, making the decision easier.

[pulmonarymd]

I agree about togetherness, but I would bot spend the money to be stuck in one place. Stay in your own house where you would have more freedom to do things. Nobody will want to do the same things together everyday anyway, so you can do your thing, and get together later. Vacation time is too precious to not be able to do what you want

[giramomma]

While our state was in "Safer at Home" (they refused to use SIP), we were allowed, and encouraged to go outside, exercise, walk around, etc.

Are you specifically in a hot spot?

Do you have access to testing? We've got a couple of drive through places in our city that is doing testing for free. From what I've heard it's not a huge time sink.

I probably lean on the side of going.

But, then we're blowing off the first week of school for the girls so that we can get some vacation time in. Rented a house in a touristy area. Sure. We may be inside. But we desperately need a change of scenery.

I'm not a major extrovert..but spending 22 hours a day/7 days a week in 1800 sq feet with the same people 5 other people for 6 months is a huge no thank you.

I'm actually more comfortable with going to a cottage in a tourist area than I am sending the girls to camp.

[chiver78]

Jun 11, 2020 10:09:12 GMT -5 giramomma said:

While our state was in "Safer at Home" (they refused to use SIP), we were allowed, and encouraged to go outside, exercise, walk around, etc.

Are you specifically in a hot spot?

Do you have access to testing? We've got a couple of drive through places in our city that is doing testing for free. From what I've heard it's not a huge time sink.

I probably lean on the side of going.

But, then we're blowing off the first week of school for the girls so that we can get some vacation time in. Rented a house in a touristy area. Sure. We may be inside. But we desperately need a change of scenery.

I'm not a major extrovert..but spending 22 hours a day/7 days a week in 1800 sq feet with the same people 5 other people for 6 months is a huge no thank you.

I'm actually more comfortable with going to a cottage in a tourist area than I am sending the girls to camp.

we are also "safer at home" here in MA.

[finnime]

So your vacation slot overlaps July 1? Can you plan on getting tested as specified? If so, I might go.

My brother's summer place is very near to where you rent. He lives in Mass. and has been going up to do maintenance, etc., but staying on his property. I'm very afraid for all the small Maine businesses in the area that depend on summer traffic to stay afloat.

I don't know when we'll be up this year. I hope things open up more, but understand the limited resources Maine has to deal with the sick.

[empress of self-improvement]

Stay home and come to my house. You can entertain DH.

[Happy prose]

I canceled two summer vacations this year. Not worth it. One place is actually 'open', but I wouldn't fully enjoy myself.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jun 11, 2020 10:09:12 GMT -5 giramomma said:

But, then we're blowing off the first week of school for the girls so that we can get some vacation time in. Rented a house in a touristy area. Sure. We may be inside. But we desperately need a change of scenery.

I'm not a major extrovert..but spending 22 hours a day/7 days a week in 1800 sq feet with the same people 5 other people for 6 months is a huge no thank you.

I'm actually more comfortable with going to a cottage in a tourist area than I am sending the girls to camp.

That's where we are at.  I am okay with wearing a mask in downtown Estes. I am also cool with getting take out and taking it back to our cabin rather than dining in.

I just don't want to be HERE.  Being trapped in the house or at work with only a trip to the grocery store to look forward to is becoming a form of psychological torture.

The cabins we stay in are single cabins.   You do all the cleaning until the last day when they come in after you leave.   We go downtown early morning/evening before all the crowds come out (though I doubt there will be as many this year) so I'm not really that much more at risk out there than I am grocery shopping.

I have to get out of Omaha/CB.   Colorado, in particular the Estes area, is my happy place.   If we can make it work I desperately need it between 2020 and all the crap that went down for us in late 2019.

[Lizard Queen]

We're thinking about going to SC later this summer to visit my FIL and his wife. Even if we don't feel comfortable doing the touristy stuff there, at least we could at least look at a different set of walls. I'm so sick of being cooped up here, even though we were always allowed to go out and exercise, etc. My husband is getting depressed over it.

[giramomma]

In our case, too, shopping isn't a main vacation activity. Meals are usually a pain, because four children and 4 different meal styles. We'll be cooking at home, and bring food from home.

We'll be doing things like exploring a state park that we've never been to. DS will go fishing.

It's also only a 3.5 hour drive from our house. Short enough that we should be able to drive there without having to stop for a bathroom break, and short enough that we can bring our own food, including milk and meat.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

We've been to Estes enough times, or at least I have, that I know where I want to go, where/what I want to eat and can plan accordingly.   I don't feel the need to wander downtown all day long just to have something to do.   I am happy sitting by the creek with a book and cup of tea.

All Abby talks about from last year is going wading in the creek so I know she's not all that put out if we aren't doing tourist stuff all day every day.   

DH is whining about it but then he's the one that doesn't tend to wake up till practically noon on vacation so I'm not sure where the whining is coming from.

[NastyWoman]

Jun 11, 2020 9:31:42 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Not a prayer I would go if you have to quarantine. Why spend the money. I understand not wanting to lose the spot, so I think what you proposed is a reasonable compromise. But if I have to spend money and stay in place, no thanks. I would do day trips at home first

No living on a prayer for you huh (with credit to Bon Jovi)

oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all you've got
Woah, we are half way there
Woah livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer 

[pulmonarymd]

Jun 11, 2020 12:52:59 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Jun 11, 2020 9:31:42 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Not a prayer I would go if you have to quarantine. Why spend the money. I understand not wanting to lose the spot, so I think what you proposed is a reasonable compromise. But if I have to spend money and stay in place, no thanks. I would do day trips at home first

No living on a prayer for you huh (with credit to Bon Jovi)

oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all you've got
Woah, we are half way there
Woah livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer 

Nah, if I have to pay to stay inside someplace in the summer, it had better have incredible amenities. But I can stare at the 4 walls in my house for much less money. And I do not need to quarantine myself if I am home. Been there/done that, would rather not do it again. I don't need a ton of excitement, but I need to be free to go do something if I want, and to visit my favorite places if I go somewhere I know. Otherwise, why bother.

[wvugurl26]

We are going to Florida next month. We need to be out of this house. We may also visit my aunt in NC later on this summer. She's got a new house with an awesome pool.

We've missed 3 trips so far. I've never been home so much ever in my life. Even as a child, I was off to my grandparents or short local trips regularly.

[empress of self-improvement]

I'm married to a hermit. We don't go anywhere and I am actually ok with that. I've got my new deck, his new ramp and plenty of work to do on my yard. I would go up to NH for a weekend or something and stay with my cousins but one is a nurse in the ER up there and I don't want to impose on him, seeing as his house is the only one wheelchair accessible. Well, as accessible as you can get in the middle of nowhere.

I will admit to staring at my walls but that's only because I'm trying to decide what color to paint them.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jun 11, 2020 12:57:36 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Jun 11, 2020 12:52:59 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

No living on a prayer for you huh (with credit to Bon Jovi)

oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all you've got
Woah, we are half way there
Woah livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer 

Nah, if I have to pay to stay inside someplace in the summer, it had better have incredible amenities. But I can stare at the 4 walls in my house for much less money. And I do not need to quarantine myself if I am home. Been there/done that, would rather not do it again. I don't need a ton of excitement, but I need to be free to go do something if I want, and to visit my favorite places if I go somewhere I know. Otherwise, why bother.

That’s how I’m leaning. If going to the beach isn’t “essential”, then I don’t want to pay several thousand dollars to be locked down, not even in Maine. If I owned the place, sure, but not for 2 weeks in a rental that I have to provide all of our food and linens for and clean before I check out.

[pulmonarymd]

Jun 11, 2020 17:54:12 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Jun 11, 2020 12:57:36 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Nah, if I have to pay to stay inside someplace in the summer, it had better have incredible amenities. But I can stare at the 4 walls in my house for much less money. And I do not need to quarantine myself if I am home. Been there/done that, would rather not do it again. I don't need a ton of excitement, but I need to be free to go do something if I want, and to visit my favorite places if I go somewhere I know. Otherwise, why bother.

That’s how I’m leaning. If going to the beach isn’t “essential”, then I don’t want to pay several thousand dollars to be locked down, not even in Maine. If I owned the place, sure, but not for 2 weeks in a rental that I have to provide all of our food and linens for and clean before I check out.

My feeling exactly. If I am paying for the beach, I am going to the beach. Otherwise, use it for fun at home, or for a really nice vacation at a future time. Vacation days a valuable, why spend all that money and not do what you want to do

[Bonny]

Jun 11, 2020 17:54:12 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Jun 11, 2020 12:57:36 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Nah, if I have to pay to stay inside someplace in the summer, it had better have incredible amenities. But I can stare at the 4 walls in my house for much less money. And I do not need to quarantine myself if I am home. Been there/done that, would rather not do it again. I don't need a ton of excitement, but I need to be free to go do something if I want, and to visit my favorite places if I go somewhere I know. Otherwise, why bother.

That’s how I’m leaning. If going to the beach isn’t “essential”, then I don’t want to pay several thousand dollars to be locked down, not even in Maine. If I owned the place, sure, but not for 2 weeks in a rental that I have to provide all of our food and linens for and clean before I check out.

Lol, you sound like an owner already. 

I'm just finishing up two weeks at our mountain cabin in So. CA (Riverside Co.) Covid or no Covid, certain chores need to be done each year, most importantly fire abatement. There's only been six confirmed cases of Covid so far. Health resources are very limited but I do have the good fortune of living across the street from the town Doc. We did a socially distant cocktail hour last week.


My biggest risk has been going to the grocery store and passing people on a narrow hiking trail. Every day I wear my N 95 mask because there are so many yahoos who don't. The county leans red but it's a requirement to wear a mask to go shopping.

Good luck with your staycation!