For the RV community and industry, it’s time to prepare for the possibility of national lockdowns in the United States and Canada. In the face of this prospect, here’s how we re-align our expectations, and stay positive.
Like many of you, Angela and I are having a hard time accepting that our day-to-day life and future plans may need to change.
We are equal parts heartbroken, angry and anxious about the situation. We are also resolved to do what state and federal officials instruct us to do, and help our RV community and industry through this unprecedented moment in any way we can.
That starts with re-aligning our expectations.
National Lockdowns Are A Possibility
Given the speed of the coronavirus spread, governments of the United States and Canada may have very little choice but to impose national lockdowns. In other national lockdowns, nearly every business that is not directly involved in food or healthcare has been mandated to shut down.
Grocery stores, pharmacies and adult/senior care facilities remain open. Due to their essential products and services, most gas stations, hardware stores, pet-food stores, banks, laundry services and restaurants (for takeout and delivery only) also remain open.
Everything else is forced to close. For the RV community and industry, that could mean every RV manufacturer, gear company and dealership would close to allow their employees to stay home and self-quarantine.
What has not been determined is if all local, state, federal and private campgrounds would be closed, potentially stranding over 1-million full-time RVers. If you haven’t already, please sign our petition to keep campgrounds open for RVers.
Our Re-Aligned Plans For 2020
Angela and I were planning a trip west starting this April. That trip is now our Plan B. Plan A is to stay in Florida (where we are now) with family or friends and shelter-in-place until the officials sound the all clear.
For all of us, it may be time to re-align our 2020 expectations and plans. It may also be time to figure out where you want to shelter-in-place for at least 30-days – possibly more – if a national lockdown is imposed. If you’re not at that location now, or within striking distance of that location, it may be time to start heading in that direction.
I am not recommending anything we are not doing. We are all in this together. Let’s stop this virus, and get back to normal – and RVing – as soon as possible. That’s the ballgame.
Staying Positive
I’ll be the first to admit my struggle to stay positive in light of the coronavirus situation. My health and the health of my wife, family and friends is potentially at risk from the virus. Simultaneously, our retirement portfolio has been devastated.
Our travel plans have been canceled as have a number of location-dependent projects we were excited about. And lastly, our itchy feet will be stuck in one place for possibly months – like fish in a bowl.
How does anyone stay upbeat and positive in this insane situation?
At the exact right moment, an RV industry leader posted the following unattributed quote that helped put everything in perspective and shine a bright light through this dark mess:
“I know this. When this ends – AND IT WILL – every game will sell out, every restaurant will have a 2-hour wait, every kid will be glad to be in school, everyone will love their job, the stock market will skyrocket, every other house will get TP’d, and we’ll all embrace and shake hands. That’s gonna be a pretty good day. Hang in there, World.”
Thank you. I plan to read that quote over and over in the days ahead.
For more information about preparing your RV for coronavirus, check out, “3 Ways To use An RV During Coronavirus”.
