New Mexico Travel

[flybouy]

I believe in the "don't judge others least ye be judged" saying. We're all human and we all tend to judge given our own experiences. While it may be instinctual to think it "silly" to wear a mask while driving your own car how do you know that person didn't just drop off their sink granny or sister, or neighbor at the hospital and are on their way back home? We don't know so in my opinion we shouldn't be judging.

As for a medical condition precluding wearing a mask... If your personal health is going to endanger someone else's health than you need to mitigate that. In my thinking if your breathing condition is so bad that a mask endangers you, not just causes discomfort, then it's time to talk to your doctor. Many folks have portable oxygen to enable them to get around and go on with life. Seems to me like the prudent thing would be to talk with your doctor about that.

The criticizing, rushing to judgement, and politicizing and us vs them attitude this country has fallen to is going to destroy us all. I don't care what side of the fence you set on only having acceptance for one way of thinking is where the Nazi's and the communist took things and it didn't work out well. I think we are all above that and need to get back to common sense and understanding.
JMHO

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Keystoned

Definitely a hot button topic. I wonder when I see people driving along in their own car with a mask on or walking around with nobody in sight for hundreds of feet. I think they missed the point.
Dr. Fauchi (sp) admitted the reluctance early on to recommend masks in certain situations because of a feared, and later proved, actual shortage for the health care workers.
I see a lot of 'lost cause' arguments on tv as to why some simply will not wear masks at all. I also see where many states that ignored Fauchi's guidance are now suffering greatly will overwhelmed hospitals. He didn't say 'I told you so' directly, but he did so in a way so as not to be a smart alec.
Yes, it's a small discomfort, but it's better than staying home in fear...

There are many "lost cause" arguments... Some are "valid for the person making them" (at least in their opinion) and some are "total hogwash".. That said, they are a personal choice made by that person and in this country, they have the right to make that choice... It might be "irresponsible" for them to make that choice, but..... It's called "freedom" The other "half of that story" is: Look around at the people who are "improperly wearing a mask" those with their nose exposed, those with the mask around their chin, those that constantly readjust their mask, then use the same fingers to pick up a can of beans from the shelf in a store, those that give a cashier money that you get in change and put in your pocket, after both of them contaminated that money with the same fingers that were "playing with their wet masks".... Which is more dangerous? Not wearing a mask or putting their "wet spit/nasal discharge" on the dollar bill that gets handed to you???

As for "overwhelmed hospitals", I spent a lifetime in hospitals, working both on the floor and in upper management. EVERY hospital that I've ever been associated with, closely tracks ICU utilization and works hard to keep the ICU admissions/discharges on track. Doing that manages hospital reimbursement and maximizes ICU patient population.

What that means "in English" is that hospitals manage their patient census to keep as many ICU beds as possible "occupied" with usually 1 available bed open for a "true emergency"... The reason: Floor beds generate $600-1000 daily in income. ICU beds generate $10,000-25,000 daily in income...

It works to any hospital's income benefit to keep EVERY ICU bed filled, every day.... Any hospital CFO will track ICU utilization on a daily basis and keep the beds full. If he/she doesn't, they won't last in the CFO position very long... It's about the hospital profits....

Looking at health care layoffs, nearly every hospital has laid off nursing, surgery, general support staff in the past 3 months... If there was a "hospital bed crisis" they'd be rehiring those people to care for the "large influx of patients"....

I'm not suggesting that there's a "conspiracy" happening, but all the factors as I know them, just don't add up to a "rapid shortage of ICU bed availability"... They have historically always been the hospital's most populated department.

[sourdough]

Yes, the statements about the ER/ICUs is just hype. I've never been to an ER/ICU where you didn't wait seemingly forever. I've waited personally 6 hours. Took MIL in a few years ago and waited the entire day. In 2017 I developed a severe, life threatening infection from a gall bladder removal several days earlier and was told to go to the ER immediately. Got there and was told I had to wait until a bed became available. After 2 1/2 hours I called the Dr. (this was late evening) and apprised him of the situation. Amazingly 2 folks came out of the ER in about 5 minutes apologizing and wheeled me straight to a room.....hmmm.

Packed ERs, long waits, no rooms are nothing new and have nothing to do with covid. It's just another media spin to take advantage of an existing situation and try to cast it as a "pandemic" driven crisis. Sort of like the 85 year old acquaintance that went to the hospital for congestive heart failure and subsequently died....cause of death? Covid. My good friend that just passed away from a heart attack standing in a doorway? Don't know yet but our local newspaper that came out today (with his obituary) also gave new stats on covid in our county; some x amount of new cases and a death. Hmmm, I figure his heart attack was all of a sudden covid caused? Haven't got the details yet but we'll see.

[flybouy]

You can bet with the high vacancy rate at hospitals from all the "elective" surgeries being put off that they will generate revenue as quickly and efficiently as possible.
My advice, always ask the questions "up front" IE. ask the attending is this really necessary and why.

Always ask for an itemized bill, it tends to reduce the amount of "billing mistakes". An example, last summer the DW had a wound that just would not heal. The PCP sent her to the "wound treatment center" at the local hospital. First visit the "wound doctor" did a breeding and packed the wound. Second treatment, he put some silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene cream) on a Q-tip and applied it. Second treatment itemized bill included a "surgical procedure" and a charge for a surgical suite. Guess who removed that charge, it took threats to go to Medicare and and put in a claim for Medicare fraud but they "rectified their mistake"

I feel sorry for folks that have no medical knowledge and do not have someone to advocate on their behalf.

[KSH]

This isn't a mask thread, this is about travel to new mexico.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by KSH

This isn't a mask thread, this is about travel to new mexico.

About travel to, through and about New Mexico. Post #30, by someone from NM, brought masks into the equation discussing covid in NM and their effectiveness; this particular forum is the Covid-19 discussion zone. As in most threads things tend to wander but travel to NM, the restrictions in place there and the use of masks are seemingly appropriate to me. OP said he didn't know what the restrictions meant.......

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by KSH

This isn't a mask thread, this is about travel to new mexico.

There's no requirement to spend any time on any thread that a member finds not interesting. Read what you like, don't read, skim over or avoid threads that you don't find appealing....

Like vanilla, chocolate and even butter pecan, not everyone has the same urges or same tastes on any given day.... Enjoy what you like, don't scoop up what you find distasteful.

I've found that "masks are required in New Mexico just like they're required in Michigan... Maybe not by the same governor, but if I were traveling to New Mexico, along with reservations near Carlsbad Caverns, I'd bring a supply of disposable masks.....

PS: And I'd wear them properly without getting "nasal wetness" on my fingers.....

[roadglide]

Mask are geographically Located from one area to another. Personally I seek areas that are are not mask requirements and when they are required I don’t wear them. We have all heard the pros and cons to wearing a mask cons are psychological false security and are far left liberal advantages to make people abide into a socialist world.

[KSH]

Originally Posted by roadglide

You should call In and get reservations on tickets . There are a limited number of people that can enter the caverns per day . White’s campground is near the caverns . Batcave has been closed since March That’s one main attraction during the evening. It’s

Whites is where I was planning to go, thanks!

[roadglide]

Sorry whites city campground it’s right at the entrance of Carlsbad caverns. I camped there at least 20 years ago. You realize the temperature they’re will be In the 100s plus every day . I had reservations in March this year for Carlsbad caverns camping at a state park was canceled through Reserve America. March would have been a perfect time to visit the area because of the cooler weather.

[KSH]

Yup, 100+. It'll be fine. Will be cooler in the cave

[gearhead]

Travel in New Mexico...I wanted to spend a couple days in Santa Fe but couldn't find any spots. Seems the state has mandated a 50% max capacity. And what is it about Santa Fe RV parks being so crowded and/or run down? I ended up getting the last spot at the dang KOA in Bernalillo. I'm still undecided and confused about taking 550 north rather than 84. Is the Navajo reservation completely roadblocked? It's been 40+ years since I've been up 550. Remember it well...1979 TransAm, got pulled over for speeding by a lady trooper.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by gearhead

Travel in New Mexico...I wanted to spend a couple days in Santa Fe but couldn't find any spots. Seems the state has mandated a 50% max capacity. And what is it about Santa Fe RV parks being so crowded and/or run down? I ended up getting the last spot at the dang KOA in Albuquerque. I'm still undecided and confused about taking 550 north rather than 84. Is the Navajo reservation completely roadblocked? It's been 40+ years since I've been up 550. Remember it well...1979 TransAm, got pulled over for speeding by a lady trooper.

I spent a week at Durango riding the bike all through the country up and down 550. I remember the road being a lot more twisty then I experienced it this year. 550 through Aztec and up to and through Silverton it’s really a nice wide road . I am More experienced I would not be shy Pulling a camper over 550. I took the Throu exit west of grants Travel through the Reservation it’s completely open with very little traffic to Farmington Aztec 550 Nice drive . I forgot to mention the tunnel at red Mountain Pass 13’ 11”

[gearhead]

Thanks.
I'm wanting to run up 550 from Bernalillo to hit 160 and go east to Bayfield. Would be nice to avoid Santa Fe traffic and hard pulls and switchbacks around Chama and Chromo. I've driven 64/84 with truck camper with trailer, Class C with trailer, truck with horse trailer. I'd just as soon do 550 for something different.
I guess I'm not understanding what I read that said the reservation was shutdown for 57? hours.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by gearhead

Thanks.
I'm wanting to run up 550 from Bernalillo to hit 160 and go east to Bayfield. Would be nice to avoid Santa Fe traffic and hard pulls and switchbacks around Chama and Chromo. I've driven 64/84 with truck camper with trailer, Class C with trailer, truck with horse trailer. I'd just as soon do 550 for something different.
I guess I'm not understanding what I read that said the reservation was shutdown for 57? hours.

You might contact NM State Police in Santa Fe to get the latest. They may refer you to their post in that area but you would hopefully get the straight, up to the minute scoop on the situation.

[hankaye]

KSH, Howdy;

Originally Posted by KSH

Was going to head that way in a few days to see the Carlsbad caverns. I heard it's open again.

Well in order to see the Caverns or any other National PARK or monument
you'll have to do a 14 day Quarantine First.

Nice little article in RV Travel Sunday newsletter today.
https://www.rvtravel.com/new-mexico-956/

hank

[sourdough]

Lujan strikes again.

Out of curiosity because I don't know and haven't researched it, how does a state regulate access to national parks? I can see making a 14 day quarantine mandatory for all out of state visitors (unrealistic and unreasonable) no matter how misguided that is, but to specifically target national parks is a stretch??

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Lujan strikes again.

Out of curiosity because I don't know and haven't researched it, how does a state regulate access to national parks? I can see making a 14 day quarantine mandatory for all out of state visitors (unrealistic and unreasonable) no matter how misguided that is, but to specifically target national parks is a stretch??

Lujan is hopefully thinking Biden will pick her for running mate .

[KSH]

I don't have the curse words. Going anyway, we'll see what happens.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Lujan strikes again.

Out of curiosity because I don't know and haven't researched it, how does a state regulate access to national parks? I can see making a 14 day quarantine mandatory for all out of state visitors (unrealistic and unreasonable) no matter how misguided that is, but to specifically target national parks is a stretch??

I don't see it either.