Had an adventure today! I took my second gambling trip since March. I rode my mobility scooter 2 miles down to Caesars Palace on the strip. Wore my mask (disposable, surgery kind) for about 7 hours almost straight, even as I scooted there and back in 105 degree heat, with no mask problems. People who are having breathing or comfort problems should try this kind of mask.
Due To far less people in casinos than there used to be, there was no problem finding a video poker machine I wanted to play in an area with few people, and no one near me. I felt very safe in Caesars, which has large sanitizing wipes available as well as hand sanitizer dispensers. When I checked in (Diamond checkin) people were social distancing. Caesars even gave me a small hand sanitizer. Everyone (guests and casino personnel) wore masks (it seems like mask compliance has increased). Also more people wore face shields in addition to masks (probably because they have become more available). I had brought my own sanitizer and wipes to be on the safe side. I used Caesars wipes to wipe down my machine and chair, and when I came into contact with casino personnel or money, etc., I used my own hand sanitizer liberally. Masks are available as you enter the casino from Forum shops in a box and presumably you can ask at hotel checkin. (I did not exit to the strip so I don't know if they took temperature as you enter the shops. They did take my temperature inside hotel check-in, but not when I entered though the Augustus tower entrance).
I was at Caesars because they had an especially good promotion, so I played just long enough to qualify for a free Apple Ipad, and left (won $200 too!). Strangely I happened to run into a couple of Vegas casino friends of mine (Anne and Barbara) — it was really amazing since Anne had not been out of the house for 4 months, and this was only the second time I had been in a casino in 4 months. Sure enough they were also there for the especially good promotional offer. (Different people got different promotions by the way. Anne's was better than mine because she plays more.)
I briefly visited the room (I did not plan to stay overnight, but it was a requirement for the Apple promotion). The maids now sanitize rooms and actually put a seal on the door to show it is sanitized. I had planned to eat at Nobu at 5 pm, but it is closed Wednesday and Thursday now. Some of the other restaurants are closed or have unusual hours, and these are not necessarily posted online. The Starbucks near Augustus tower is closed, for example, but the one near Forum Shops is open. Anyone Diamond Plus or higher can get 4 free drinks valued up to $20 a day, including at Starbucks, since the Diamond Lounge is closed. The buffet is closed but reportedly being refurbished in some way.
On the way I stopped at the Gold Coast casino (mostly because it was hotter outside by mid-day and I needed a respite). I saw some people there took off masks once they sat at a slot machine, but overall it seemed that mask compliance was better than when I was there a month ago. Gold Coast didn't have the wipes, but did provide hand sanitizer dispensers. It had a temperature check as you entered. Like Caesars, this casino wasn't very crowded, so you could sit in an area away from other players. After playing about an hour, I used some free meal $ to get Chinese food to take home from Ping Pang Pong. That restaurant no longer closes between 3 and 5, I guess because the buffet is closed so it gets more use.
Overall I felt safe because I chose my machine's location carefully and used plenty of sanitizer and good hand washing. With careful precautions, I think you can occasionally get out of the house. However, I don't plan to gamble as much as I did in the old days by a long shot.
If you are planning to travel to a casino and including an overnight stay, I definitely would recommend bringing plenty of your own sanitizing supplies, because you never know what you may find. You may want to bring several types of masks in case one becomes uncomfortable. Although the strip is not as busy as it used to be, I personally would avoid walking there if it looks crowded — those sidewalks are pretty narrow. Traveling midweek is also a better bet to avoid other people.
Good luck and be safe (and keep those masks on over BOTH your nose and mouth).
Posted by: misscraps <misscraps@aol.com>
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