Are you hosts stooping to lowering your prices during this COVID-19 shutdown?

[Pete69]

Are you hosts stooping to lowering your prices during this COVID-19 shutdown? I sure aren't. I see some dropping their prices 25% to 40%. By doing that, I think you're increasing your risk of attracting some very undesirable guests.

[Juan63]

@Sarah977 and you can't also assume people are participating in dangerous behavior.

And no it's not like children saying "I don't want to and you can't make me". It's a little more adult like. It's called the bill of rights.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Juan63 

Going to the grocery store is allowed because it's essential (to secure food and basic supplies).... not because it's SAFE. 

Unfortunately..... social distancing and limiting movement/travel of people has been found to be the most effective way of preventing the spread of covid-19. 

I think basic human needs such as health and safety are just as important as, if not more, than basic human rights. We all still have plenty of ways to enjoy our *basic human right* to walk freely without obstruction without putting others at risk. Honestly..... I can't understand people who think asking people to practice social distancing in order to keep everyone safe is somehow the same thing as an attack on civil liberties.

It is exactly because of people who don't understand this difference that some governments end up having no choice but to implement stronger lockdown measures.  

[Juan63]

@Jessica-and-Henry0  your argument is weak.  A government official decided what is essential. If it was such a huge dangerous problem, no one should be leaving to go anywhere. If it's safe enough to go to the grocery store, liquor store, hardware store, etc. it's safe enough to go to a church. Mental health is essential, making money for your family to survive, is essential. 

[Ann783]

I feel like I’m in an alternate universe. 540 people died yesterday in NYS yesterday from COVID-19. I’m not hosting until there’s clear evidence we are getting ahead of this public health crisis. 

[Sarah977]

@Ann783  Oh there's plenty of us who wouldn't dream of hosting now. It's really shocking what's been going on in NY and I'm glad you guys are okay. My oldest daughter in Toronto and her family started islolating even before there were official orders to do so, because they were paying attention to what was happening in China and Italy. They even started stocking up on non-perishable food back in Feb. 

Here in Mexico, it's pretty scary- starting to take off, but way underreported and almost no testing. There is a volunteer group at both entrances to my town preventing anyone who doesn't live here, or delivery trucks from entering. But there's a lot of people in town who think it's some kind of non-issue.

Stay safe and healthy.

[Juan63]

@Pete69  Full price here. I don't understand the willingness to drop prices down to the dirt...pass.

[Helen3]

I don't understand the willingness of hosts to offer STRs contrary to local laws in their community.

Hosting local key workers absolutely.

Encouraging travellers to come to your community for getaways, leisure or business with the risk of them bringing the virus.  Absolutely not.

[Mark116]

@Helen3  In terms of risk profile though, that is backwards.  The most risky person you could possibly host is someone who is an essential worker that is every day exposed to people with the virus, much more so than  some random persons booking a few nights, especially if they came from a non hot spot.

I'm not advocating anything here, just making an observation, it is also the case that in the U.S. not all states or cities have made an executive orders regarding STR, so you shouldn't assume that anyone who is still hosting is breaking the rules/laws. 

[Helen350]

@Mark116 Not all essential workers are frontline medics working with virus patients. I host children's social workers via a UK lodger platform - more risk than shutting up shop completely,  but not as risky as doctors & nurses at the front. Also a carer who comes & goes from 300 miles away. One in my house keeping very socially distant, & two next door.

[Helen3]

Not backwards at all.  Those travelling for leisure or business to your area are putting your communities at risk.  They are the ones stopping on route at petrol stations, shops and cafes. They are the ones who will be out and about in your community. They are the ones less likely to be practising good hygiene as they are not abiding by advice to stay at home unless going out for exercise, food or medication.

Health and care worker on the other hand are there to work and then go home after tiring shifts and are much more likely to practice good health hygiene.

[Juan63]

@Helen3 Fortunately  Helen, Texas  is a bit more level headed and reasonable. No law breaking here.

[Helen3]

We are in the middle of an unprecedented global pandemic the scale of which we haven't seen in our lifetimes.

The US sadly has the largest numbers affected and the largest number of deaths.

I do hope the measures in place in your country do lead to a reduction in the number of cases and deaths.

Having seen the news at the weekend where you have people gathering in large numbers to protest against the lock down in your state, I am not sure I would agree with your analysis of Texas as being level-headed and reasonable 🙂 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/alex-jones-coronavirus-lockdown-protest-texas-anth...

[Juan63]

@Helen3 @Anonymous @Jessica-and-Henry0 @Sandra856 @Helen350  really don't think a small group represents 28 million people so that's just a stupid cheap shot.

But here's an observation..UK has had 16,000 deaths with a population of 66 million.  Texas has 477 deaths with a population of 28 million. Hmm..my analysis looks pretty good. 

But really it's not about the death count, seems that only Americans understand that rights don't come without sacrifice. It has been well documented that the people of your country have pretty much given away the right of free speech. So I understand why you wouldn't understand and why you don't value civil liberties.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/count-dankula-freedom-of-speech-comedy-joke-iran-offended-a8270631.html

[Helen350]

@Juan63 You note that Texas has a small number of deaths, but that might be precisely because the lockdown is working?! Also the virus hit the USA later than in the UK, so what happened here might yet still happen there, just as progression here followed Italy Spain & France, but a few weeks behind..... Look at the death rate in New York... Could happen in Texas if social distancing is disregarded....

[Juan63]

@Helen350  You proved one of my points. Not every place is equal. Texas is a much larger state than New York. People live much farther apart. Hosting in Texas, is not the same as hosting in New York. You can still social distance while hosting.