05/04/2020
Friends of ballooning, with everything that has been going on, we all need something to look forward to, what better than a balloon flight, with your loved ones. We are looking forward to a time when we can once again share the wonder to ballooning with the community, albeit from appropriately social distances.
It has been a trying spring with COVID 19 dominating our travel and social interactions. As time goes on we are learning more about the virus.
• We now know properly wearing a double layer face mask helps non- symptomatic carriers of the virus form infecting other people. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
• We know that UV light is very effective at killing the virus on surfaces and in the air. https://sites.nationalacademies.org/BasedOnScience/covid-19-does-ultraviolet-light-kill-the-coronavirus/index.htm
• Asymptomatic carriers are capable of infecting other people. Community spread of the virus is less prevalent in areas outside of areas of widespread ongoing transmission. Communities where containment (testing, contact tracing, and infectious quarantine) is more well established, there has been less incidence of community spread of the virus. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html
• We know that other than the elderly and people with underlying health conditions, most healthy people are at much lower risk of having a fatal result from the disease. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/groups-at-higher-risk.html
So what does this mean for Ballooning once we are able to get back in the air? Obviously ballooning activities are conducted outside in the presence of UV light, so that’s a plus. We constitute a small group always 10 people or less, another plus. Generally folks taking balloon rides are of good health. Obviously if you are of compromised health we encourage you to continue to minimize your exposure! We intend to wear masks and require them for our passengers until restriction are completely lifted. I this is unacceptable we would encourage you to book your flight after restrictions have been lifted.
Many large balloon events scheduled for early this summer have been canceled. This is because these events that draw large crowds, potentially from significant distances, and areas where there is ongoing widespread transmission of the disease. Our private operations do not present the same risk.
We intend to begin operations as soon as gathering of 10 are allowed. We will be changing our procedures to eliminate the post flight celebratory toast; to conveying of the balloonists blessing. Passengers will still receive a bottle for their private celebration at home after the flight. Commutative pins will be handed out as opposed to a formal pinning ceremony. Crew will be driving in multiple chase vehicles as opposed to riding together, thereby minimizing close contact exposures.
We know you are itching to get out of the house, as we all are. We know we can conduct low risk operations now, however until such times as nonessential gatherings of up to 10 are allowed by Gov, Cuomo, we will impatiently wait to share the wonder of flight, for in the words of Leonardo Da Vinci “Once you have tasted flight you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there will you long to return"
