Few folks are flying during the coronavirus outbreak, former Omahan finds – Omaha World-Herald

By daniellenierenberg

The author, a government affairs analyst for the National Marrow Donor Program, grew up in Omaha.

Flying during a pandemic is a slightly different experience from flying during normal periods.

Social distancing, for example, is really easy because hardly anyone is in the airports.

I work in Minneapolis for the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match, the nations largest bone marrow registry. Im among the 400-plus people who serve as couriers for Be The Match. Couriers transport donated bone marrow or blood stem cells in coolers on commercial flights, taking it from the location where the donation occurred to the hospital where it will be given to a patient.

This week, I traveled from my home in Minneapolis Be The Matchs headquarters city to a city on the East Coast, where I picked up donated blood stem cells. I then took the stem cells to a city on the West Coast, where the patient is.

I cant say the specific cities involved in order to maintain confidentiality of the donor and the recipient.

Couriers are able to travel during this time because we are considered essential critical public health workers.

When I went to pick up the empty cooler before I flew out, a logistics coordinator told me that flights were being canceled left and right and that they were working long hours and on weekends to make sure couriers can continue to travel.

The airports I traveled through were pretty empty no lines to get through security. After the security check, physical distancing wasnt a problem; you could have an entire gate to yourself.

Most stores in the airports were closed, with only a couple of convenience stores still open and takeout-only food options available at restaurants. All the restaurants eating areas were roped off.

Before boarding, airline staff reminded travelers over the intercoms that crews were sanitizing the planes. They also noted that the planes have high-quality air filtration systems.

The usual boarding process by groups (people needing assistance, military members, first class, Group A, etc.) was unnecessary. Gate agents didnt need to go through their normal spiel.

Since we have a very light flight, Im not going through alphabet soup, so all groups are boarding, one gate agent said.

We have plenty of places for bags, so I dont have to ask about that ...

... Do I have any active-duty military?

Pause.

... Do I have anyone whos just happy the day is Monday? OK. Come on down.

Overall, I was lucky in terms of flights. I had three legs of travel: a flight from Minneapolis with a layover to the East Coast, a flight with a layover to the West Coast and a direct flight back to Minneapolis. One of my flights was canceled, one was changed from a direct flight to an indirect route and one was delayed. A team at Be The Match monitors courier travel, so I didnt have to rebook anything myself.

When I called to double-check on one of my flights, the coordinator told me that my experience wasnt bad at all compared with those of other couriers, who have dealt with multiple cancellations and have required several backup itineraries.

My flights had anywhere from 10 to 30 people. I never sat next to anyone else, although passengers sat directly in front of me or across the aisle in the same row. Flight attendants didnt serve drinks in cups with ice, but you could get bottles of water or cans of soda and snacks. I tried to keep my cloth mask on my face for all my flights, taking it off only for an occasional sip of water.

Mask use was sporadic both by airline and airport employees and passengers. On only one flight were attendants wearing masks and eye shields the entire time. I was a little surprised by this and felt that more people should be wearing some sort of protective gear, especially in light of the recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to wear cloth face coverings in public.

I stayed in two different hotels. At one, I had to sign a document indicating that I was an essential worker, which was pushed to me under a plastic screen. At the other hotel, I checked in behind a retractable barrier about three feet from the desk.

For food, I ordered takeout, paid online and picked up a couple times, but mostly I stayed in my room and ate the food I packed. I wanted a latte but just drank the coffee from the little machine in my hotel room. It seemed weird to order online just for coffee.

My parents werent thrilled that I was traveling across the country right now, but I know that patients cant wait for the pandemic to be over to get the transplant they need its life or death for them. And lots of couriers are traveling: In March, for example, Be The Match facilitated 604 transplants.

As more and more travel restrictions are put in place, Be The Match may have to rely on other transportation, such as military transport. But for now, Im looking to see when I can take the next trip.

I should note that the delivery to the hospital went smoothly. Thats always a relief. Its all possible because of the donors, lab staff, doctors, nurses and other transplant center workers and my Be The Match coworkers.

To find out how to become a bone marrow donor, visit bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-bone-marrow/join-the-marrow-registry/.

Hank, a Labrador retriever, does not respect social distancing and gives Morgan Henderson, the owner of Dirty Doodles, a kiss while being groomed at Dirty Doodles in Omaha. The dog grooming service has moved work stations outside so employees can remain six feet apart during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A message written in chalk on a wall along Martha Street in Omaha on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Traffic is sparse at time on Interstate 80 through Omaha as people are encouraged to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Handwritten notes for customers at Nite Owl in Omaha on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Nite Owl has been writing personal notes to customers and offering specials, like the Social Distance Daiquiri, while offering curbside take-out as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.

Karna Gurung answers a text on his phone at his store located at 822 N 40th Street on Thursday, April 02, 2020. Gurung is translating important information about coronavirus for non english speaking members of his community.

Rita Otis leads an outdoor Tai Chi class on a grass island at Glenwood Road and Sunset Trail on Wednesday, April 01, 2020. Participants had to maintain a distance of six feet due to coronavirus social distancing measures.

The Easter Bunny waves to families as they drive by at the Hy-Vee near 144th and Stony Brook Blvd. in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. The grocery store usually hosts an Easter egg hunt, but went with a drive-thru Easter Bunny visit this year to encourage social distancing in response to the novel coronavirus.

A sign is installed at Zorinsky Lake Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Playgrounds and athletic fields are closed in all Omaha parks.

A ball field is seen through a chainlink fence, at Lee Valley Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Playgrounds and athletic fields are closed in all Omaha parks.

A ball field sets empty at Prairie Lane Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 04, 2020. Playgrounds and athletic fields are closed in all Omaha parks.

A Washington Elementary School sign reads 'Nebraska Strong' on Thursday, April 02, 2020, in Fremont, Nebraska.

About 100 people line up outside Brickway Brewery & Distillery in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Old Market business was giving away free hand sanitizer on tap to anyone who brings their own bottle of 64 ounces or less.

Don Rupp wears a face mask made by his wife while waiting in line outside Brickway Brewery & Distillery in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Old Market business was giving away free hand sanitizer on tap to anyone who brings their own bottle of 64 ounces or less.

The empty streets of downtown Grand Island on Monday, April 06, 2020. The area was experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases.

Playground equipment is seen wrapped in caution tape at Pier Park on Monday, April 06, 2020, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Playgrounds are closed as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Russell Hatt smokes a cigarette outside of Fonner Park at on Monday, April 06, 2020, in Grand Island, Nebraska. "I'm a widower, so this is what I do to stay busy. I bet on horses and play Texas Hold'em."

The Kroc Center is illuminated as a symbol of hope in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020.

Rabbi Daniel Blotner puts together Seder-To-Go kits at Chabad House in Omaha on Monday, April 6, 2020. The Seder is a ritual dinner to mark the beginning of Passover, which began on April 8. The free kits and were available for delivery for anyone who is homebound during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Leah Hanson and others visit their grandmother from outside the Douglas County Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

From left, Carol Ann Hixson, Terri Rohmeyer and Carol Carol Coffey wave and blow kisses to a family member from outside the Douglas County Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

A woman walks a dog as the sun sets on Elmwood Park in Omaha on Wednesday, April 08, 2020. Omaha has closed all city parks until April 30 to combat COVID-19. The trail system will remain open, but parking lots at trail heads are closed. People must walk or bike in.

A couple walks along the West Papio Trail in Omaha on Wednesday, April 08, 2020. Omaha has closed all city parks until April 30 to combat COVID-19. The trail system will remain open, but parking lots at trail heads are closed. People must walk or bike in.

Kennedy Cascio has decorated her home's front door with a symbol for medicine and hearts. Cascio is an intensive care unit nurse at the Bellevue Medical Center and created the display to "show that I am thankful for everyone working on the frontlines," as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues. Photographed in Omaha on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

A message is left along a fence at Lewis and Calrk Middle School in Omaha on Thursday, April 09, 2020. Omaha Public Schools have been closed since mid-March, with remote learning for all students, as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.

Traffic signs on Dodge Street, near 168th, display self quarantine guideline suggestions on Monday, April 06, 2020.

A sparrow sit in its nest in the letter "g" in Walgreens sign at 5038 Center Street on Friday, April 10, 2020.

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Few folks are flying during the coronavirus outbreak, former Omahan finds - Omaha World-Herald