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Class trip to NYC this weekend, terrified about going.
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help_me
member
Joined: Jul '11
Posts: 130offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Sep 29 2011 2:13:57
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I haven't been to NYC, my one time true love where I once dreamt of moving, since last September before realizing I had bugs.
This Saturday I have to go on a mandatory class trip to visit the MET. I've never been there so I am looking forward to seeing the costume collection.
However, we leave 8 AM and we are supposed to meet the bus to come home at 4PM.
I am terrified to go to NYC, have not been there, really start getting butterflies in my stomach whenever I even think about NY right now. I pondered possibly taking the train there and meeting the group at the museum. Otherwise I have to go on the chartered bus. What do you think would be higher risk? My mother guesses the risk is about equal for either.
I know our class time in the museum will NOT last until 4, I have no desire to go poking about the city and city in restaurants, bars, cafes, nothing. I thought about maybe just going for a walk in the park or something. Are rocks and grass safe to sit on or are those infested in NYC too since ppl bring blankets and sit on those. I am partly seriously.
How worried should I be?
I am bringing a change of clothing to have in my car for when we get back that afternoon before I actually come home. For all I know my original problem stemmed from what was this last most awesome trip I took there last year. We rode the ferry, rode the subway, ate on Christopher Street, hung out at the Stonewall, got back on the train, got back on the ferry, and then came home. Who knows.
I'm even trying to plan what I'll wear based on what will be easiest to check and clean after. Either way, I'm really worried and wondering if I am over reacting.
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oldtimer
Joined: May '07
Posts: 1,969offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Sep 29 2011 7:03:19
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Help Me
Changing your clothing out before you get back into your car is an effective strategy... Isolate the clothing in a sealed garbage bag... then heat treat thoroughly in a dryer or Packtite.
I change my clothing after inspecting locations that are found to be infested... This simple decon approach has been very successful for me... Bed bugs do not jump, hop or fly (thanks god)... They feed on a stationary host then scurry back to their harborage.
Walking around NYC, or sitting on grass / rocks in a park are fairly low risk activities.
Your perceived fears are an over reaction compared to the actual likelihood of picking up a hitchhiker during your visit.
Don't be tunnel visioned on bed bugs in NYC.. You can be exposed to bed bugs in a public location anywhere in the world... NYC bed bugs just get better press coverage than other cities.
Read the FAQs on traveling... use that knowledge to limit your exposures and change your clothing when your return... You will be fine.
Public transport is a dice roll, but I would think that the train would have more exposure due to the numbers of passenger per day compared to a charter bus.
The key is to employ an effective decon strategy before getting back into your car.
Try to relax and enjoy touring the Met!
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your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 13,714offline
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Sep 29 2011 10:56:16
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You're not staying in a hotel, which is one of the higher risk activities. The bus brings some risk (even though it may originate in your region). I'd look at any seats before sitting down, and avoid sitting in park benches or subway station benches (where people may sleep). I still sit on NYC subway seats, after a quick look.
Keep in mind if bed bugs were that prevalent in NYC everyone would have them all the time, and this is far from the case.
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