After reading the many helpful updates from this group, I just took a quick trip to Caesars LV, departing on Wednesday. It was after a lot of internal debate, and a reluctant "OK" from other family members. And I'll admit to being a bit motivated by the concern of another LV shutdown, leaving few options to use 4 weeks of remaining vacation this year!
Full disclosure, I live in an area where most people are vocal in their defiance of CDC guidelines and even the local sheriffs actively lead the rebellion against the mask ordinance. (sigh) Except for my workplace (which does follow the guidelines) our ventures out of the house are limited to essential grocery runs, where we are in the minority of mask-wearers. So yeah….cabin fever from being largely quarantined since mid-March.
From the time I entered the Charlotte airport, it was a different world. Full mask compliance, and easy distancing due to the low volume of passengers. I was surprised to learn that my flight was fully booked – all seats, with a wait list (American). Having booked First Class to minimize crowding, I was able to avoid queueing, though the people boarding in later groups seemed bunched together as usual. Also was fortunate on both flights to get an elderly seatmate from a high compliance area, so felt good about the air travel safety in general. (And yes, I cleaned everything, but I've done that for years anyway LOL)
Arrived at McCarran to find it a virtual ghost town. In over 200 trips, all times of day and night, I have never seen the airport like that. Surreal, with only 2 people on the tram and baggage claim empty, I had an open path to level Zero to meet the limo. For the first time ever, the driver kept the window up, though we were much farther then 6 feet apart. But it was a welcome relief to take the mask off after almost 6 hours!
Entering through Augustus tower, there was only 1 other person checking in, and he was at the opposite end of the room. Mask dispenser was near the outside entrance, and it was easy to see hand sanitizers and floor markings everywhere. The room was sealed with the red tape, saying that it had been sanitized, though I must question via what methods. Seeing housekeepers in the hallways over the next 3 days, none of them had those sprayers that would cover every surface in a room. And in a multi-room suite, I question the feasibility of touching EVERY surface. Plus, the mini-bar had been decommissioned, but had been obviously used by the last occupant as a fridge because there were leftovers in it! That creeped me out a bit, but I did little more than store some water bottles, which I cleaned with my ample supply of wipes. Still, it leaves open questions around the full cleanliness of the room. But I was glad to see the disgusting decorative pillows missing from the bed. Don't most people just throw them on the floor? Coffeemaker was also gone, but I had planned for that and had my trusty portable and supplies. Also, plastic bags to put over the TV remote (another longtime habit, after watching Hotel Impossible, ha-ha) Ironically, once the TV was on, it showed a message that you could control it through a phone app. Hmmm.
In the casino, mask compliance was extremely high, with personnel policing it non-stop. Only saw 1 "chin-strapper" during 3 days and he was quickly given polite but firm guidance to cover up. I also saw and heard reminders for people who even had the mask slip a bit under their noses. FULL COVERAGE. People did drop them to drink, but didn't leave them down for long without the mask police stepping in. Really, distancing was so easy that I would have been comfortable with no masks much of the time. And I don't mean 6 feet…..it was more like a 20-30 foot radius available most of the time. Granted, I played early morning, as usual, and retired to the room by early afternoon, so probably missed the more crowded times. This has been my routine for years anyway, staying on Eastern Time, and avoiding crowded times. All these years I just didn't know it was called social distancing, LOL.
The custodial staff was wiping everything down regularly, though not necessarily after every machine use. I often tip these forgotten people, but it backfired on me a bit. After giving one lady $5 on the first morning, she wanted to hover like a gnat, and I had to finally ask her to give me some space! In some areas, there were dispensers of the largest wipes I've ever seen. Enough to easily clean the entire machine front, plus any chair areas that I might touch for adjustment.
Food options were limited, but I actually found 1 improvement – breakfast available before 9AM. Lack of early-morning breakfast has been my pet peeve with Caesars for a while now. Smashburger was open at 7AM, serving breakfast sandwiches, so at least it was something. I did not check out any other restaurant offerings this trip, opting to just snack in the room later.
McCarran was a bit busier for Saturday's return flight, but still not close to normal levels.
So considering Harry's comment that "it will be squarely on the operators' shoulders", I must give Caesars full credit for their diligence. I'd suggest that there is another factor of human behavior though, which the casinos cannot control beyond their doors. If people drop the masks and distancing as soon as they walk out of the property, that may negate all of the casino's efforts. I guess only time will tell.
Good luck and stay safe everyone.
Posted by: Marsha Cuddington <mcuddington@hotmail.com>
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
http://usma1955.com/20228//V/Links.htm
***************************************
vpFREE Messages (since 10 OCT 2019):
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/vpfree-archives
***************************************
Old vpFREE Yahoo archives:
http://usma1955.com/20228/V/Yahoo/vpFREE_Yahoo_Archives.htm
