JULY 16
C RY D E R
P O I N T
Shifting gears: More Americans
get back behind the wheel
(BPT) - The COVID-19 pandemic has had an undeniable,
unavoidable impact on our world - from the way
we conduct business, to how we shop for groceries. It has
shifted our idea of what is important in life, and according
to Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index, Americans say
spending time with family is a top priority. In light of everything
2020 has brought so far, Americans are shifting
gears with a renewed emphasis on things we may have
previously taken for granted: from time spent with loved
ones, to road trips to our favorite vacation destinations,
and even surprisingly, our daily commute.
THE RISE OF THE ROAD TRIP
Summer is normally synonymous with taking a break
and making an escape to somewhere fun, and for many,
the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in those
plans. But Hankook found that nearly two-thirds (62%)
of Americans are still hopeful and excited about the idea
of an upcoming vacation. And more than likely, that vacation
will be a road trip.
As consumers remain skeptical of traveling by plane
and other forms of public transit, they are finding a safe
hygiene haven in their own vehicles. According to the
Gauge, 60% of Americans expect to take more road trips
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many expect a
rise in road trip plans enabling travelers to explore while
still safely adhering to social distancing guidelines.
So, who are they going with? Even as restrictions lift,
Americans remain uncertain about traveling with people
outside their households. At the same time, they don’t
necessarily want to travel with everyone in their household.
When Hankook asked who Americans would most like
to travel with after the pandemic restrictions ease, the
top choice was their significant other or spouse (40%),
indicating a desire to spend some quality time together.
Traveling with a spouse or significant other was more
than twice as popular as the next most popular choice:
traveling with your children (18%). Good time to check
to make sure your babysitters are available!
REDEFINING THE DAILY DRIVE
Americans’ preference for wheels over wings doesn’t
just stop when it comes to planning their next vacation. It
will also have a significant impact on the daily commute.
The Gauge found that Americans widely agree automotive
16 CRYDER POINT COURIER | JULY 2020 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
travel will be the top form of transportation after the
COVID-19 pandemic eventually subsides (62%). Only a
small percentage of people expect to regularly use other
forms of transportation - including public transit (9%),
ride sharing (7%) and trains (6%)–with the same regularity.
Of course, nobody knows what that regular rush hour
might look like, as offices across the country look for
ways to safely stagger workforces and encourage working
from home to allow for proper social distancing. Many
will continue to avoid commutes altogether as companies
encourage employees to keep working from home. When
the time is right to resume your daily commute to work
or school, make sure your vehicle is ready for the job as
well by checking your tire pressure, any flat spots developed
from prolonged parking and that A/C systems are
ready to keep things cool this summer!
Overall, it’s clear that one of the many perspectives the
COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped is Americans’ attitudes
toward driving. What may have once been a daily
drag might now be a necessary change in routine, and a
welcome opportunity to spend time with the people that
matter most.
Simple ideas for celebrating
every day virtually
(BPT) - For most people, 2020 is a year of change. Remote
work, social distancing and more have challenged
people to find new ways to connect with each other. Fortunately,
humans are resilient and their spirit for finding
innovative ways to connect is alive and well.
Even as the country reopens, many are still finding the
ease of virtual connections to be appealing. In fact, there
are many unique ways to connect with friends and family
virtually. Here are some simple ways people are elevating
every day and prioritizing relationships even from afar:
Recognize simple moments and celebrate little things
Shift your mindset to focus on the little things that
brighten the day. You can elevate every day by taking
time to recognize the simple moments and special events
that make life so wonderful. There’s no need to wait for
a big occasion to celebrate! Send your friend a text with
your favorite memory of you two together. Write ecards
to family just because. Decorate the house with streamers
to celebrate TGIF and then send digital pictures to
friends to inspire them to do the same. Be creative and
find ways to make yourself and others smile.
Think outside the box with video gatherings
Your bond with friends and family can grow even
stronger when you set up video meetings to celebrate and
connect. Fortunately, there are many high-quality video
apps to choose from. Maybe you want to set up a Skype
date to play a board game together even in different locations?
Propose a movie night and set up a Zoom meeting
to watch the same movie at the same time. Many people
use WhatsApp for international connection, so you can
set up a family conference call from different sides of the
world. Take the first step and research the plethora of free
video chat options.
Host a virtual wine tasting party
Cheers to any occasion or just everyday delights with a
virtual wine tasting party with friends. This is a fun way
to sample different varieties and connect in a meaningful
way. For a tasting party, select a variety of options, such
as a fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc and tropical Chardonnay
for whites. For reds, consider a rich Red Blend, and a
Cabernet Sauvignon satisfies the craving for a full-bodied
wine. Don’t forget a ripe Rosé, everyone’s favorite summer
wine!
Explore different video backgrounds
Get creative with your setting for virtual gatherings.
Yes, there are times when your living room or deck will
do, but other times you may want to jazz things up a bit.
For example, set up tropical decorations and pretend you
are taking a trip to the islands, or, explore digital backgrounds
that can be added to the technology of your
choice.
Utilize social media platforms
Social media has been a way to connect with friends
and family for years now, but recently with quarantines
and social distancing, even more people are using it to
connect to others. Share images and captions of whatever
is meaningful to you and tag with related hashtags. Some
popular options are #love, #family and #friends. Get creative
when sipping your wines during your virtual wine
tasting!
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