(update) Just tried to call the CDC...Worried, re: daughter's International Program abroad in May

[FirstLight]

Last edited Thu Mar 12, 2020, 03:50 PM - Edit history (1)

OP:It was a recording and said for calling today I could be given a special gift, then said, to proceed press 1 - NO other option...

SO, I got de-railed to a "Promotions center for American Savings" where they wanted all my information to send me a $100 Wal mart card... what the actual FUCK?

When I said, "look I just want to talk tot the Government Agency I dialed"
she said she would search for a number (couldn't just patch me through, she was a completely different call center!) meanwhile she still wanted ALL my information...fuck that, what are they compiling info on people who call the CDC?

I am beginning to feel VERY unsafe and unsure about all this... we're so fucking screwn.

Meanwhile, the search for a REAL phone number for the CDC Travel advisory board is ongoing...

EDIT UPDATE: I bailed on the CDC because apparently as this has unfolded, the Program Coordinators and the Airlines are the ones holding the cards.
United Airlines will NOT refund tickets unless they are for flights up to April 30, so apparently travel will be "fine" in May.
Just got a canned letter from the coordinators saying "the safety of our students is paramount...but they are "still monitoring" before they change anything.

I guess all we can do it watch & wait

[cwydro]

1. Thinking you did NOT get the CDC.

Contact your county health department.

[Roland99]

2. What number did you dial

[TwilightZone]

3. The CDC publishes all travel advisories.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/covid-19-cruise-ship

I don't see a "Travel Advisory Board" listed anywhere on their website or in any searches. What number did you call?

[global1]

4. Any Chance You Dialed The Wrong Number....

maybe very close to the CDC number - but you got a scam operation.

Kind of like on the internet when you think your connecting to the right site but it goes to a scam site.

[FirstLight]

5. called back and got a recording... but the cdc recording was there before the derailment last time

maybe they make you call back so they can weed out the freaks...

I'm still weaving through the phone maze

Instead of choosing the prompt for COVID-19
I chose the travel info and cruise scores...so now hopefully a human

My daughter is supposed to go on a school trip in May and the people who are planning it keep saying "we're staying in touch with the CDC, and they haven't TOLD us to cancel yet" so I am more than a little upset at this irresponsibility ...

I sent another email to try and get through to a manager at the place hosting the trip.

now asking the CDC personally about this as well if possible

[cwydro]

7. If you think it's not a good idea for her to go, then dont let her.

I wouldn’t depend on this clusterfuck of a government.

[FirstLight]

9. I know, I just want the actual people to call it...

then there's no penalty for refund and also just because it's the right thing to do.

I also reached out to their travel agent who was helping book the flights and ask about refund policy and gave them a little rant about how can they continue to think this trip or any others they are planning can still go forward..they are endangering students and EVERYONE they come into contact with!

We have been fundraising and coordinating with the local community college to help her take this trip, so I am worried about calling it off without consulting them as well.

I want THEM to drop the hammer, so to speak. I don't want to look like a panicky mommy when we are literally working with local foundations and businesses for fundraising for her...I don't want to shit on her dream.

[cwydro]

12. The "actual people" are you the parents.

Do what you think is right.

The fact you’d put any faith in that moron impotus made the head of the CDC is pretty scary in itself. The CDC is following impotus’ instructions.

Best you do what you think is right for your children. And what another poster said, this is a pretty silly thing to call the CDC about at this point. Contact your county health department. They will tell what’s going on in your area.

[FirstLight]

13. actually, no...the Airline and the Institutions have strict refund policies

The plane tickets are NON refundable -
Unless united Airlines moves the current date available for refunds from April 30 to May 30 (her trip is may 15)

At this point I have to "reschedule" the flight but can't cancel it...

They are taking their time with these flights. just like the Cruise lines kept things going until the last minute...they dont care how many people are affected, they want the $ for the tickets.

[cwydro]

14. Well, you do you.

A refund really would carry little weight against the health of my children.

[FirstLight]

16. dude...that money is gonna be all we have to LIVE on as this goes further south....

I can't just afford to give up almost $1000

Don't even imply I don't care about the safety of my child, dude.

I am also trying to get these Airlines, Travel Agencies, and Academic programs to do the RESPONSIBLE thing by rattling their cages and asking them WHY they won't take proper measures.

[cwydro]

19. Then call them, not the CDC.

CDC is kind of busy, if not useless.

Your county health department will be much more helpful. They recently advised our school system to cancel field trips.

[Hortensis]

6. Trump appointed a knuckledragging conservative to head the CDC.

The kind of person who when he headed up efforts to fight HIV opposed distributing condoms in favor of advising abstinence. This is the anti-government Republicans' technique of destroying institutions from within at work.

The CDC once lead planetary alliances to identify and check epidemic diseases at their sources.

[Brainfodder]

15. He hired undeserving/unqualified yes men and women all over the place.

Every one of them will need removed at the end of this shitshow including the SCOTUS twits?

Merrick Garland is one guy who should have been on every talk show circuit a/v instead of just his name, get him declared acceptable by the people... fuck these bought jacka$$e$!

[Hortensis]

18. I agree, we should impeach and remove justices proven

to display patterns of dishonesty and attempts to deceive about material issues during their vetting period. Including refusing to answer questions as Gorsuch did. All these people, elected appointed, and running for office need to be afraid to attempt to deceive the people.

[stopdiggin]

8. what is BS .. is you personally calling the CDC

for "travel information" relating to your daughters trip in May. They just might have a few other things to deal with this week. Hmmm? Maybe keep the phone lines clear for people with real issues?

[FirstLight]

11. sorry, just trying to get all the info I can... I know they are doing OT

and I also don't expect the cog in the wheel who answers to say much of anything...BUT if there's a chance I can find out something more
or make a push for student travel programs to reschedule, I'm gonna try.

[Orrex]

10. Still. Gift card.

[FirstLight]

17. FWIW, gave up on talking to them...no point as this is clearly in the hands of

the Program's Coordinators and the Airlines...

At least the person at the Travel agency (booked through the Program, so they work with these people) took my concerns seriously. She is marking my email so she can let me know the minute United Airlines changes their dates.

But I am still trying to get a definitive answer from the Program itself on why they are not making more responsible choices.

May is only 6 weeks out, and I highly doubt we will be in the "all clear" part of this by then....