Everyone seems to have a theory on the best time to purchase airfare to save the most money. Some say it’s right before take-off. Others will swear that prices are lowest six months before the flight. Well, now we have the truth. A scientific study was conducted by Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Commission that found the best times to buy flight tickets to get the best deal possible.
DOMESTIC: 57 DAYS IN ADVANCE The ideal advance-purchase time for domestic flight to snag the lowest average airfare is 57 with prices climbing most rapidly in the 20 days leading up to the flight. On a flight that averages $496, it will cost $401 57 days before the flight and around $650 the day of departure.
INTERNATIONAL: 171 DAYS IN ADVANCE For a ticket that averages $1,368, the lowest average of $1,004 happens around 171 days before take-off. On the day of, the price will be around $1875. Ticket prices begin to dramatically escalate 75 days leading up to departure.
In addition to teaching the usual subjects, Trupiano is charged with helping her students thrive in a society that doesn’t do enough to cater to the needs of the hard-of-hearing.
Recently, Trupiano had to teach her students about a rather personal topic: passing gas in public.
A six-year-old child farted so loud in class that some of their classmates began to laugh. The child was surprised by their reaction because they didn’t know farts make a sound. This created a wonderful and funny teaching moment for Trupiano.
Trupiano shared the conversation on Facebook.
While the discussion Tupiano had with her students was funny, it points to a serious problem faced by the deaf community. “I know it started with farts, but the real issue is that many of my students aren’t able to learn about these things at home or from their peers because they don’t have the same linguistic access,” she told GOOD.
“So many of my students don’t have families who can sign well enough to explain so many things it’s incredibly isolating for these kids,” she continued.
Tupiano hopes her funny story about bodily functions will inspire others to become more involved with the deaf community by learning sign language.
“I would love to see a world where my students can learn about anything from anyone they interact with during their day,” she told GOOD. “Whether that means learning about the solar system, the candy options at a store, or even farts, it would be so great for them to have that language access anywhere they go.”
There are no two human beings who are exactly alike. One of the funny quirks of evolution is that some of us can do things with our bodies we think are routine, but are impossible for others.
Some people can wiggle their ears, others can’t. Some can wiggle their nose like Samantha from “Bewitched” while others just look really silly when making an attempt.
Not everyone can lick their elbow but most wouldn’t attempt to do so in public.
A Twitter user named Massimo dropped some knowledge last month about a skill that not everyone has and even fewer discuss: ear rumbling.
Those of us who can do it know exactly what it is, while it’s a mystery to those who cannot.
A part of the human population can voluntarily control the tensor tympani, a muscle within the ear. Contracting thi… https://t.co/uxeTat3aPA
People who can ear rumble have the ability to control the tensor tympani, a muscle within the ear. Contracting the muscle creates a rushing, rumbling sound that, if flexed enough, can drown out a significant amount of noise.
This can be useful when someone is saying something that you don’t want to hear but don’t want to be rude and cover your ears. It can come in real handy if someone is about to spoil your favorite TV show or if you live with someone who can’t stop nagging.
Some people cannot voluntarily create the rumbling sound but hear it when they let out a large yawn.
There’s a Reddit sub-forum just for ear rumblers with over 60,000 people. Here’s how some of them get rumblin’.
“I just squeeze the muscle in my ears I guess,” — melvinthefish
“When I flex and hold whatever I’m manipulating to do that, I get my rumble,” — ttywzl
“I get a mild rumble just doing the usual flex, but i can make it a bit louder by bringing my top lip up to my nose,” — Willmono7
“The best way I can describe it is I ‘squint my ears,'” —SteeleIT
The muscle exists to mask-low frequency sounds so we can focus on those at a higher frequency. It also works to mute sounds we create ourselves such as eating potato chips or coughing. It’s a way that helps us from becoming annoyed with our own bodies.
Unfortunately, the muscle has a rather slow reaction time so it cannot prevent us from hearing loud sudden noises like a gunshot or a book slamming on the ground.
Massimo’s tweet caused quite a stir on the platform.
Been able to do that forever and wiggle my ears independently. Regrettably It doesn’t attract women and I can’t make money from it. Sad face. — Simon the Smith 3.5% (@Simstersnose) February 17, 2020
To me it sounds like when there’s a big thunderstorm and the thunder is just lowly rolling around in the sky forever with only tiny flashes of lightning that don’t leave the clouds — 🍀shmily🧚🏽☻ (@turtlelaughing) February 18, 2020
Quick! We need a Venn Diagram to show people who can do this, people who have internal monologues, people who have synaesthesia, and people with any other weird “I thought everyone did this” stuff. — Marian Matta Writes (among other things) (@MadWomansKnitti) February 18, 2020
Although scientists have known about ear rumbling since at least the 1800s, there doesn’t appear to have been too much research on the topic. We know that some can rumble and others cannot, but it’s unclear how it breaks down percentage-wise or if it’s more prevalent in certain groups.
The good news is that the word is starting to get out and people who’ve been rumbling all their lives suddenly don’t feel so alone.
No one likes doing the dishes, but the tedious chore is made much easier when using a dishwasher. However, an alarming amount of people have reported that their dishwashers can actually make the job harder because they don’t properly fit their dishes.
And that’s where Twitter user Mike McLoughlin (@zuroph) comes in.
Back in January, McLoughlin made an observation about his dishwasher that would change the way he does dishes forever. For a decade, the Irishman thought that the bottom rack of his washer simply was too small for his large dinner plates. Then he made an amazing discovery:
I moved into this house in 2008. It always annoyed me that the lower level of the dishwasher wasn’t tall enough to… https://t.co/VC9wCf34Yu
The tweet went totally viral, and was shared over 14,000 times. He even tweeted a picture to show just how much he could fit in the dishwasher now that he knows the racks are adjustable:
For those who asked, the workhorse of a dishwasher that’s lasted somewhere between 10-15 years is an Izzi by Zanussi @electrolux. The wheels sometimes pop off but hopefully we’ll get another year out of it pic.twitter.com/h8KI7O6vbU — Mike McLoughlin (@zuroph) February 15, 2018
The “hack” (is it still called a hack if the appliance is doing what it is supposed to be doing?) blew people’s minds:
18 YEARS! I’ve had mine 18 years and only just realised! I used to lie the plates down so they would wash! I’m raging and ecstatic all at the same time. Do you have any other helpful hints about how to live life efficiently?! — Toby 🏳️🌈 (@balhamyte) January 28, 2018
The magic of twitter. 5 years of confusion about why my dishwasher was the only one on the planet that didn’t fit n… https://t.co/5sYo7knbkm
O. M. G. I hate that my dishwasher is too short for my plates. Every time I load it, I shout “who designed this stupid thing?”
Thank you 1000 times, Mike. — Sidney Merritt (@sidmerritt) July 29, 2018
Omg. This is breaking news to me. I avoid my dinner plates all the time. You’re my kind of genius. — Edel Walsh (@ullamuddle) January 27, 2018
Woke up this morning. Saw your tweet. Leapt out of bed and feverishly emptied top rack of dishwasher. Voila! Rack moved up a notch and my dinner plates now fit perfectly! Thank you..it’s been five years of frustration..life changing:) — 🕯 Tina Kulski 💧🌾 (@KulskiTina) January 28, 2018
While a group of others tried to one-up McLoughlin with stories of their own:
Makes 2 years of luke warm showers in my current house before I realised the tap came OUT and left for ultimate hotness. Was such a bittersweet moment. Never thought to ask once. — Swimmers Jackson (@SwimmersJackson) January 27, 2018
Haha, brilliant. My car key central locking is dodgy so I’ve been getting in on passenger side for ages, hauling myself across the handbrake. I paid mechanic €100 to show me that the problem is solved by putting the key in driver door and turning it. Click! — Sharon Diviney (@SharDivi) February 1, 2018
Thats neat but hold my beer😎….my friend just found out in 2017 that her kitchen HAD a dishwasher. She thought it was a false cabinet as it was so hard to open. Her niece forced it open and voila instant dishwasher! She owns the property and lived there for 8yrs by then..😂 — Ay Fabulous (@ayusfagbo) January 28, 2018
Try this one on for size. I grew up in anAsian house hold and thought it was only a drying rack until sophmore year… https://t.co/8zbtJKtqIc
It’s been 18 months. You’d think we’d be somewhat accustomed to pandemic life at this point, right? You’d think with some experience under our belt, parenting within the reality of COVID would have gotten easier or something.
But it hasn’t. It’s gotten harder.
Writer Allison Benedikt published an essay in Slate today titled “I Have No Idea What I’m OK Letting My Kids Do During COVID Anymore” and no headline has ever been more relatable. She describes the thoughts so many of us parents have as we make a dozen daily decisions about how, when, where, with whom, and with what measures in place we’ll allow our kids to have a social life.
If only the answers to such questions were simple. (They’re not.) And if only the consequences of such choices were not potentially life or death for someone we may or may not know. (They are.)
Pandemic life is hard on us all, but pandemic life as a parent feels impossible. Every decision we make feels fraught, and there seems to be less and less rhyme or reason to the choices we make at this point. Each decision gets weighed against an ever-changing pile of data and guidance, the current COVID reality of our local area, who is vaccinated and who isn’t, and our knowledge of the COVID-consciousness and carefulness of the families of the kids our kids want to hang out with.
And that’s just to decide if some form of hanging out is going to happen or not. Then we get into the inside/outside, masks/no masks, how-close-can-they-be, what-about-eating, wait-that-kid-never-keeps-his-mask-over-his-nose considerations. Decisions, decisions, and more decisions.
We know that our kids need to socialize with other kids and we already did the Minecraft playdates for months on end thing. But figuring out what we are comfortable with, balancing it with what other parents are comfortable with, weighing it with what we think the guidance is for each situation, and constantly staying on top of it all is downright exhausting.
Some days it feels like we should just toss up our hands and say, “GAH. I give up. Do whatever.” But then you remember that “doing whatever” means staying in this mess for longer, and also your kid could end up killing someone, even if they don’t get sick and die themselves. We’re over it, but we can’t be over it.
I don’t know any conscientious parent who isn’t confused and exhausted at this point. We see statistics that show kids are not at high risk of severe disease or death from COVID, and then we see that pediatric hospitals are filling up with children. We see people talking about how the death rate for kids is low, but we also don’t know what long-term health impacts there might be from a COVID infection. I have a friend whose teen son almost died from a COVID exposure that led to MIS-C and severe ongoing health issues, but also, MIS-C is rare. Our personal stories clash with the statistics, leading us to various conclusions based on various data and criteria, none of which is set in stone.
As Benedikt pointed out in her Slate article, it was actually easier earlier in the pandemic when we were just asked to stay home. The rules were clear and choices were sucky-but-simple. School? All online anyway. Playdates? Nope, can’t. Have to go to the store? Mask up. Hate it? Yep, but at least we know what we’re supposed to do.
Now we have to think about how much risk is too much and how much carefulness is overkill. I consider our family to be on the “very careful” end of the spectrum, but then I see someone walking around outside wearing a mask when there are no other people within 30 feet of them and realize some people are far more careful than we are. Everyone’s threshold is different, everyone’s risk-benefit calculation is different, and it runs the gamut from “We’re living like the pandemic doesn’t even exist” to “We basically never leave our home.” How are we supposed to live in a society with this kind of chasm between people’s pandemic handling, much less figure out how to parent our children in it?
It doesn’t help that some of us got a little taste of normalcy this summer. Our youngest is 12, so everyone in our family is vaccinated, as are nearly all of our friends. We got to hang out for real. We got to feel carefree for a little while, and it was glorious. Then Delta hit, breakthrough infections increased, the school year began, masks are back, and the decisions became more complicated again.
Now we’re in this weird purgatory of constant decision-making where every choice feels like the wrong one. After 18 months of this, the decision fatigue is real.
Hang in there, parents. I’m not sure I can honestly say “we’re all in this together” at this point, but at the very least, there are millions of other parents who are feeling the same struggle you are.
It’s late summer and our last round of vacation plans are… well, that depends. Plenty of destinations feel quite safe. Others are a little more debatable. Many overseas adventures are going to have to wait, again. As always, it’s crucial to remind ourselves that our safety and the safety of other travelers and people living in the communities we visit are the primary concerns. “I want to have an adventure” just doesn’t cut it anymore.
To keep you up to date, we’re listing the countries that are currently open to American travelers and the safety precautions they have in place. Don’t see a country on this list? They’re probably not permitting American travelers under any circumstances.
Albania is open to American travelers regardless of vaccine status with no test required to enter. However, note that between the hours of 12AM and 6 AM, restricted public movement is enforced, and all theaters, cultural performances, and conferences must have a reduced capacity of 30%. Facemasks are mandatory.
Anguilla is completely open to fully vaccinated individuals. Social distancing measures and enhanced safety protocols are being implemented countrywide.
All arriving passengers to Antigua and Barbuda must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within seven days of their flight. Fully vaccinated individuals with a negative COVID-19 test will be allowed to stay at bio-safe certified accommodation. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated visitors must quarantine for 14 days at a Covid-19 certified lodging at their own expense.
Travelers entering Armenia must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival or a certificate of vaccination dated at least 14 days before entering the country. People non-compliant will be isolated for 14 days. Enhanced safety measures like facemasks and social distancing are in place.
Fully vaccinated Americans may enter the country freely. Non-vaccinated travelers will have to present a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or proof of past infection within the last 90 days from arrival. Facemasks and social distancing measures are in place across the country.
The Bahamas is open to fully vaccinated American travels, with no quarantine in place. All travelers entering the Bahamas must present a negative test taken within 72 hours of arrival, even vaccinated individuals. Some facemasks and social distancing measures are in place at certain businesses and activities.
All travelers entering Bangladesh must present a negative test taken within 72 hours of their flight departure time. Arriving passengers must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Mask wearing and social distancing measures are in place.
All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must arrive with a negative PCR test taken within three days of arrival. All visitors will be required to quarantine at government-approved quarantine properties at their own expense. Enhanced safety measures are in place throughout the country.
US citizens may visit Belarus for no longer than 30 days and must arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Land borders are currently closed to U.S. citizens. Enhanced safety measures are in place throughout the country.
Currently, the United States is considered a “red zone” nation by Belgium. Quarantine is mandatory for all travelers arriving from “Red Zone” nations, so while Belgium is technically open, it’s not really open for US travelers.
Testing is required to enter Belize, even for individuals fully vaccinated. The country currently has no quarantine measures for arriving travelers, but facemasks and social distancing measures are in place.
All arriving visitors must apply for and complete the Bermuda COVID-19 Travel Authorization form 3 days prior to arriving in Bermuda. Vaccinated travelers must take a new Covid-19 test upon arrival and during day four and day 10 of travel in Bermuda.
Non-vaccinated travelers must quarantine for 14 days at a Quarantine Hotel upon arrival. Other enhanced safety measures are in place, such as mask-wearing.
All arriving travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to departure to Bolivia. All travelers are required to quarantine for 10 days. Travelers must also submit a signed statement of “location of stay” within Bolivia.
Enhanced safety measures are in place at most businesses.
All US visitors with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within the last 48 hours may enter Bosnia and Herzegovina with no restrictions. Fully vaccinated or people who have recovered from COVID-19 are not required to take a test and no quarantine measures are currently in place. Mask wearing is required at most businesses.
US travelers hoping to visit Botswana will need to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test result from the last 72 hours before departure. Visitors without the negative test result or those showing Covid-19 symptoms will have to quarantine for a full 14 days at their own expense.
Currently, there is no quarantine measure in place, but enhanced safety measures are being implemented throughout the country.
Travelers entering Brazil must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure to Brazil. Currently, there are no quarantine measures in place and travelers may stay up to 90 days.
Travelers entering the British Virgin Islands must submit a negative COVID-19 test taken five days before arrival. Travelers will be tested on arrival and must quarantine for four days. Travelers will retest on day four. Some enhanced safety measures are in place across the islands.
Bulgaria currently has no quarantine measure but requires all unvaccinated travelers to provide a negative Covid-19 test before entry. Exemptions exist for fully vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection. Enhanced safety measures across the country are in place, such as social distancing and mask wearing.
Canada is now open to all fully vaccinated US travelers. Testing is required upon entry to the country. Mask mandates and social distancing measures are in place at most businesses.
Colombia’s borders are open. No testing or quarantine is required, which frankly, seems terrifying. Some mobility restrictions in the country are put in place and all travelers must fill out a Check-Mig form and wear a mask at all times.
Travelers visiting the Ivory Coast must fill out a travel declaration (which comes with fees) and present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within five days of arrival. All travelers are encouraged to quarantine.
Costa Rica is welcoming all travelers arriving by air and sea. Visitors must first complete a digital Health Pass 72 hours before boarding and purchase mandatory health insurance to cover quarantine accommodations. International insurance must cover at least $50,000 in medical expenses. Vaccinated individuals may enter without a travel insurance policy.
A negative COVID-19 PCR test is required to enter Croatia. Exemptions exist for fully vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection. Enhanced safety measures are in place across the country.
The Czech Republic is now open to US travelers. All arriving travelers must submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test or take one upon arrival, but no quarantine measure is currently in place. Those awaiting negative test results must self-isolate until they receive their results. Facemasks and other safety measures like social distancing are in place.
The United States is currently under “Yellow” status which required all travelers to be tested after entry into the country. Travelers will then be giving a Corona Passport which you’ll have to present in order to do a lot of activities in the country, like visiting a restaurant.
Dominica is open with very few requirements for entry. You can enter the country without presenting a negative Covid-19 test but ports of entry will perform aleatory breath tests. Those who present a vaccination card or a negative test will not be subjected to the breath test.
Passengers with Covid-19 symptoms will be isolated and authorized locations.
Upon arrival, visitors of the Dominican Republic will be subjected to a breath test. Vaccinated individuals and those with a negative test result from the last 72 hours are exempt from this requirement. Visitors are expected to wear masks where required.
Travelers over the age of 12 must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of departure. Additional quarantines may be in place. Mask wearing and social distancing measures apply.
All travelers entering the country must take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. Those flying via JetBlue will be given the option of an at-home saliva test before boarding. Enhanced safety measures across the country are in place.
All visitors must complete a Public Health Department declaration form at least 48 hours before departure. Before checking in, travelers must present the health declaration and the result of a coronavirus test or vaccination certificate. Enhanced safety measures like facemasks and social distancing are in place across the country.
All travelers from the United States must complete a digital immigration card online before departure. You also must print and fill out the Passenger Locator Card 48 hours before departure, show a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours before arrival, and carry a printout of both everywhere on the island.
On the third day of your trip, you’ll be subjected to an Antigen test at a local laboratory. Enhanced safety measures are in place across the country.
Travelers hoping to visit Saba must receive approval before arrival and fill out an EHAS entry application. All travelers must also include a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure, as well as include your vaccine status.
Travelers arriving from the US must complete a health authorization application, provide health insurance to cover Covid-19 costs. Part of the health authorization application includes a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or proof of vaccination.
All travelers entering the country over the age of three must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no later than three days before entering the country as well as present your Covid-19 vaccination card completed at least two weeks before arrival.
Those who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 can present a medical certificate confirming your recovery and good health standing instead of a vaccination card. Those who present Covid-19 symptoms upon arrival will be subjected to a mandatory quarantine of ten days if they end up testing positive.
All visitors over the age of two must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours before their departure flight. Those two test positive for COVID-19 while in Egypt will be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Wearing a mask is mandatory here, if you’re caught without a mask indoors you may be subjected to immediate fines or prosecution.
All large gatherings in the country and canceled and restaurants are operating at 50% capacity.
France is open to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated Americans. Vaccinated travelers must bring proof of vaccination and give a sworn statement that they’re symptom-free. Non-vaccinated travelers will have to arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure and give a sworn statement that they are symptom-free and haven’t been in contact with anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Keep in mind that vaccination status is a requirement for entry to a lot of French establishments, so if you’re not vaccinated, you’re pretty much not wanted in France. Enhanced safety measures are in place at all businesses.
Vaccinated travelers must register for the ETIS platform as well as supply a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure. Vaccinated travelers must also complete and print a sworn statement, as well as travel at all times with their vaccination card.
Unvaccinated travelers will need authorization to enter the country, which can be granted through an administrative application, which includes stating a compelling reason for travel, a printed and signed sworn statement, and a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure. Safety measures such as facemasks and social distancing are currently in place.
Travelers wishing to visit Georgia must present proof of vaccination as well as present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to arrival. On your third day in Georgia, you must undergo an additional PCR test at your own expense. Mask mandates and other safety measures are in place.
If you’re traveling to Germany you’ll need to complete a digital registration form which includes proof of vaccination. If you fail to include vaccination status, you’ll have to remain isolated for ten days at your home. This is a really roundabout way of saying, if you’re not vaccinated, don’t come, unless you live in Germany or have an important reason for entering the country.
If you plan on visiting Ghana, all travelers over the age of two must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of the day of travel. You can also show proof of having recovered from COVID-19, but currently, there are no exceptions to testing being made for fully vaccinated travelers. Safety measures are in place across the country, bring your mask!
Travelers heading to Greece will have to fill out a Passenger Locator Form as well as be fully vaccinated. Testing before travel is encouraged by not required. For entry into Greek nightclubs, bars, or restaurants you’ll need to present your full vaccination certificate. Masks are also required at most businesses throughout the country.
Grenada is now open to American travelers but requires quite a bit of hoop-jumping if you want to enter. American travelers over the age of two must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, as well as fill out a Pure Safe Travel Certificate. Travelers must also obtain a confirmed reservation at a government approached accommodation. A second COVID-19 test must be taken on day five of your trip.
All travelers arriving in Guatemala must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival, as well as proof of vaccination that is older than two weeks from travel date, or health records stating you’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. Enhanced safety measures are in place across the country.
Honduras is now opened to American travelers, though all arriving travelers must bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours prior to arrival and fill out an online precheck health form.
Full vaccination or proof of COVID-19 recovery may be submitted in place of a negative test result. Businesses in Honduras are operating at 50% capacity. Facemasks and other safety measures are currently in place.
All travelers hoping to visit Iceland must fill out a pre-registration form before departure, as well as bring a negative PCR test result during boarding that is no older than 72 hours. Fully vaccinated passengers must also bring a negative test result taken no later than 72 hours before departure. Facemasks are required on public transit and at some businesses.
The Republic of Ireland requires all US travelers to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure. You’ll also need to bring a non-digital COVID certificate showing your proof of vaccination. Facemasks and social distancing measures are in place.
Travelers from the United States (12 and older) must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result at least three days prior to their departure date for Jamaica. All travelers must also fill out an application to obtain official travel authorization from Jamaica.
All travelers entering Israel must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure time. This rule applies to vaccinated and recovered travelers. Travelers will also need to fill out an entry statement form 24 hours before departure to Israel. Face masks are required on all public transit and in certain businesses.
Italy is open to travelers from the United States with few restrictions. People entering the country will need to show either proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery, or a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before entering the country. Mandatory facemasks and other social distancing measures are currently in place.
Kenya is open to all US travelers who can provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of their arrival date. You may also show proof of vaccination or recovery instead of taking a test.
Kenya currently has a 10 PM curfew enforced country-wide, as well as a 7:00 pm curfew in zones deemed COVID-19 hotspots. Facemasks are required on all public transportation and in certain public spaces.
Travelers hoping to visit Luxembourg must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken with 72 hours of travel. Fully vaccinated Americans and those who have recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from testing requirements.
The country currently has no curfew and restaurants and cafes are permitted to stay open until 1:00 AM. Facemasks and social distancing measures are currently in place.
All travelers visiting the Maldives will need to arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 96 hours of their arrival. Facemasks are required in many but not all of the island’s activities.
Mexico’s border with the United States is technically still closed to tourists but travelers may fly into the country with few restrictions. All arriving passengers must present a negative COVID-19 viral test taken with three days of travel. Some exceptions are being made for travelers entering the country through the land borders, and travelers exiting Mexico and returning to the US may travel freely across the border. Enhanced safety measures are being implemented in some states.
Monaco’s borders are open to fully vaccinated Americans. Those not vaccinated must present a negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Masks and social distancing measures are in place countrywide.
Montenegro’s borders are now open to American tourists but travelers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours prior to their departure. Mandatory mask-wearing and other safety measures are currently in place countrywide.
Travelers entering Morroco must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before flight date. Testing is not waived for fully vaccinated or recovered travelers.
Travelers must arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival date. Masks and social distancing measures are in place.
All travelers above the age of five must arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure. Those visiting the Kathmandu Valley will be subjected to a mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Few restrictions exist in the country, though some businesses are operating under limited hours.
If you’re hoping to visit Amsterdam or anywhere else in the Netherlands you’ll need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or proof of full vaccination or recovery. As of June 26th, group size restrictions are in place, but facemasks aren’t required in most situations.
Travelers must arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken no later than 72 hours before departure. Mask mandates and social distancing measures are in place.
All airline passengers arriving from the United States will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within three days of travel. Testing exceptions will be made for fully vaccinated travelers as well as those who have successfully recovered from COVID-19. Currently, all COVID restrictions in North Macedonia have been lifted.
Panama requires all travelers to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no later than 72 hours before flight. All travelers must also fill out an Electronic Health Affidavit. Face masks are required in all public spaces for all locals and visitors.
All travelers to Peru must provide a negative COVID-19 molecular or antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel. Double facemasks are required to entering many establishments like shopping centers, markets, and other crowded spaces.
All travelers over the age of two must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test (antigen or PCR) taken within 72 hours of travel. Face coverings are required at most businesses, which are currently operating above 50% capacity.
Travelers over the age of 12 will need to present a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before boarding, or a Rapid Antigen Test taken 48 hours before burning. All travelers must also fill out a passenger locator card before departure to the country.
Americans over the age of three arriving in Romania must quarantine for 14 days regardless of vaccination status. There are no testing requirements for entering the country. Mask mandates and other increased safety measures are being implemented throughout the country.
Rwanda is now open to travelers who can present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Most of Rwanda’s tourist attractions are fully open with enhanced safety protocols.
To enter Russia — which the US embassy cautions against — travelers must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel. Some regions of Russia require tourists to show proof of vaccination to enter. Mandatory mask requirements are in place for crowded spaces.
Saudi Arabia has allowed travelers to enter the country with a negative COVID PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel. All travelers will be subjected to quarantine unless fully vaccinated.
All US travelers over the age of 2 are allowed to enter Senegal with a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within three days of their arrival. Social distancing and mask mandates are in place at all public places, including restaurants, casinos, private beaches, and sporting events.
Serbia is open to all US travelers who can present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their arrival. No curfew or business restrictions are currently in place in Serbia. Masks are required in most public settings.
The Seychelles are now open to all US travelers over the age of two who can show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before their departure. All travelers must have valid health insurance to cover Covid-19 related medical expenses and apply for travel authorization online. Vaccinated individuals are subjected to the same requirements.
A countrywide curfew of 11 PM is currently in place.
Slovenia is fully open to vaccinated Americans and those who present health records indicating that they’ve recovered from Covid-19. All airline passengers over the age of two must provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of their departure flight.
Face masks are required indoors and some public spaces are operating at half capacity.
South Africa is finally open to American tourists! All travelers over the age of two must provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure. Currently, a curfew of 10 PM is in place and many establishments require masks.
South Korea is allowing US travelers back into the country so long as they can provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. However, all travelers are subjected to a 14-day quarantine at their own expense period unless they are fully vaccinated. In many cases, some vaccinated travelers may apply for a quarantine exemption certificate. Mask mandates are in place throughout the country.
Those willing to stay at an approved hotel or resort for a full 14 days may reenter Sri Lanka so long as they arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test.
Travelers hoping to enter Spain will need to fill out a Spain Travel Health form a generate a QR code to be scanned upon entry. All travelers over the age of two must provide a negative PCR test result taken within three calendar days of travel.
Mandatory facemasks and social distancing measures are in place throughout the country.
To enter St. Parts American travelers must present proof of vaccination as well as a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours. Non-vaccinated travelers will need to supply a negative test result as well as quarantine for seven days.
Until August 20th, 2021 a temporary curfew of 8 PM is in place.
St. Kitts and Nevis is opened to all vaccinated Americans as well as children 17 and under who are traveling with fully vaccinated parents. All passengers will be required to quarantine at their own cost for four days upon arrival. On the fourth day, travelers will be tested for COVID-19.
Currently, few restrictions exist aside from mask mandates and social distancing measures.
All travelers over the age of five must provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within five days before arrival, as well as fill out a travel registration form. Vaccinated visitors must be staying at a Covid-certified property for the duration of their trip. Non-vaccinated travelers must have a confirmed reservation to a state quarantine facility.
All travelers arriving in St. Vincent and the Grenadines must take a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before arrival. Vaccinated travelers must fill out a pre-arrival form, and un-vaccinated travelers will need to quarantine for a full two weeks.
All passengers arriving from the United States two and older must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no later than three days before travel. Restaurants and cafes in Sweden can currently remain open until 10:30 PM. Mask mandates are in effect for public spaces.
Fully vaccinated and recovered, and non-vaccinated travelers must supply a negative PCR test result taken within three days of departure for Switzerland.
No mask mandates are in place for outdoor spaces but must be worn indoors. No further restrictions on entertainment spaces like restaurants and sporting events.
All travelers over the age of two must provide a negative PCR test result taken within three calendar days of travel unless fully vaccinated or recovered. No curfew or travel restrictions are currently in place but mask mandates are in force.
All travelers hoping to enter Thailand must provide a negative PCR test result taken no later than 72 hours before travel. Some provinces throughout Thailand have implemented curfews. All travelers entering Thailand will be tested on arrival and must quarantine.
Vaccinated travelers will be released from quarantine once their new negative test result is revealed.
All US travelers over the age of two hoping to visit Tunisia will need to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR or serology test taken within 72 hours of their departure and will be subjected to an additional seven-day quarantine upon arrival.
Currently, Tunisia is under a nationwide curfew that begins at 10 PM and runs until 5 AM.
US travelers over the age of six must arrive with a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of their flight. All travelers will be subjected to additional health checks and fill out an entry form via an online portal.
Currently, Turkey isn’t under a nationwide curfew but mask mandates are in effect.
Passengers over the age of two must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within three days of travel. All travelers must have medical/travel insurance that covers medical expenses, complete a health screening, and agree to a privacy policy prior to arrival.
Beginning September 1st, 2021 all visitors over the age of 16 must be fully vaccinated in order to enter the country.
All US travelers over the age of two with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within three days of departure are permitted for entry to Uganda. The Uganda government has asked that all United States travelers postpone non-essential travel to Uganda.
Many businesses throughout the country are operating at 50% capacity. Curfew begins at 7:00 pm.
Travelers over the age of two flying into the United Arab Emirates must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken no later than three days before travel. Passengers flying into Abu Dhabi must quarantine at traveler’s expense.
Travel to the UK is discouraged but open. All US travelers over the age of two must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours before their departure, complete a passenger locator form, and take a second test on day two of your trip to England. Those who test positive on day two must quarantine at their own expense.
Few restrictions exist aside from mask mandates and social distancing measures.
All passengers over the age of two must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within three calendar days of travel. All essential services in the country are open and masks are strongly encouraged in public spaces. Travelers must provide proof of medical insurance with COVID-19 coverage in order to enter the country.
American citizens are required to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival.
Travelers hoping to visit Zambia must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no later than three days before travel. All U.S. citizens are required to quarantine for a full 14 days upon arrival.
Mask mandates and social distancing measures are in place throughout the country.
You haven’t seen the last of Mike Richards. Well, you may have, ignoring the week’s worth of episodes the once-obscure game show producer filmed as host before stepping down in disgrace will air mid-September. But he’s not completely going away. According to The New York Times, Richards may no longer be Alex Trebek’s permanent replacement, but he will remain on as an executive producer, the job he held before the mess he helped create.
As per NYT, rumors that Richards would be negotiating an exit from the show have been greatly exaggerated. This week he returned to his old position, with the full support of Sony, which runs the longtime syndicated game show. One difference: Because a number of the scandals that befell him involved insensitive statements about women, about Jewish people, etc., he will have to undergo sensitivity training. A fellow exec has also been hired to in part “oversee” Richards’ day-to-day, as well as contribute to the creative and business sides of the show.
As of now, Richards is back on set, helping manage the next batch of episodes, watching guest host Mayim Bialik — who was hired as full-time host of a prime-time Jeopardy! spin-off — do the job he had for all of a day. In the meantime, Richards’ full-time replacement is still up in the air, but some people can think of at least one person. Or maybe two.
While the invitation was open to everyone, it was former Game of Thrones star Jacob Anderson who accepted it. The actor and rapper, perhaps best known for his performance as Grey Worm on the hit HBO show Game of Thrones, has been cast as the lead role in AMC’s upcoming adaptation of the popular Interview with the Vampire series. The network announced the big news earlier today as well as the series’ anticipated release date of 2022.
My invitation was open to anyone. But it was a vampire who accepted it. Jacob Anderson (@raleighritchie) is Louis de Point du Lac, the mortal-turned-vampire in Interview with the Vampire, based on Anne Rice’s best-selling novel. Coming 2022 to AMC+ and AMC. pic.twitter.com/Do5o2kbwin
In Interview with the Vampire, Anderson will be portraying Louis de Point du Lac, a French man who immigrated to New Orleans as a young boy where he was subsequently inflicted with vampirism. Based on author Anne Rice’s novel of the same name, the series is set to follow Louis as he recounts his tragic life story to a reporter who ultimately becomes very invested in the man. In addition to Anderson, Sam Reid (Anonymous, Belle) has also been cast in the series as the charming-but-antagonistic Lestat.
Of course, this AMC series isn’t going to be the first time this iconic vampire story graces our television sets. A film adaptation of Interview with the Vampire, featuring Brad Pitt as Louis and Tom Cruise as antihero Lestat, garnered critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations back when it premiered in 1994. While that’s certainly a lot to live up to, here’s hoping the series’ eight-episode order offers these characters plenty of room to expand and elevate the already well-known story.
Rolin Jones (Weeds, Friday Night Lights, Boardwalk Empire) is set to serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on Interview with a Vampire, with Mark Johnson, Anne Rice, and Christopher Rice executive producing. In addition, Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones, Thor: The Dark World) is on board to direct the first two episodes while also serving as an additional executive producer. Here’s hoping now that the show has its leads the rest of the cast is soon announced and we see the series hit AMC and AMC+ sometime in 2022.
When you talk to Colin Hanks he makes it pretty clear which side of the Los Angeles Football Club/LA Galaxy rivalry he’s on. The actor and director didn’t even have to mention the Galaxy’s name in comparing it to the three-year-old club he calls his own. But on Wednesday night, players from “Carson,” as he called them, will play with his squad’s All-Stars in the MLS All-Star Game.
It’s an opportunity to come together as a league in a competition that, in years past, was simply a warmup exhibition match for a big European club. This time, however, MLS will take on the Liga MX All-Stars, the top league in Mexico. Hanks will be at his home team’s stadium for the match on Wednesday night, and he talked to Uproxx about all things soccer, the rise of fan culture in MLS in recent years and how the Hollywood star picks what projects to work on in between matches at The Banc.
Uproxx: I just saw the trailer for Impeachment: American Crime Story so let’s start there. I’m not sure exactly when you filmed that but was it odd to be working on an impeachment project in the middle of two other impeachments?
Colin Hanks: Well yeah, luckily — I don’t know if luckily is the word — but I started filming in January of this year. So I wasn’t really filming during an impeachment, but it was a really interesting experience. It was my first job out of COVID, which was in and of itself strange. But I had a really great experience and I got to work with some really talented, very, very cool people. So I’m very excited for the series to premiere.
Yeah, I was kind of going through the things that I remember you from in preparing for this. Mad Men, I think, is the first one that that stood out. You have a really long list of very interesting things that you’ve done that have really stood the test of time. I wondered if that’s something you, as a performer, do you look back on that and think like,’Wow, that really held up.’ Or is it not something you really get a chance to look back on?
Well hell, I’ll be honest it’s just nice to hear you say that. It means someone is paying attention to all the tough decisions I’ve made. No, you know, more than anything else I think I’ve always really wanted to try to challenge myself and be part of shows or movies or anything. I just always kind of trusted my gut and thought well this would this would be an exercise that I think would be worthwhile and hopefully would be engaging to anyone that sees it. And you never really know what’s going to connect, you know. You hope that people do, you know. We didn’t make this season of Fargo thinking that people were going to, you know, understand exactly what it was that we’re trying to do. But you hope and luckily, they did. And so I’ve been very, very fortunate to be able to work on, you know, a bunch of different projects that somehow have been able to sort of withstand that time and people have been able to discover on their own and say ‘Oh, holy sh*t. This is actually really good.’
So I’m really happy when that happens and I just try and find stuff that is engaging and excites me and I hope that, you know, when we’re finished making it that it’s also exciting to to whomever gets a chance to see it.
Yeah, similar vein. I wanted to ask you about the 30 for 30 you did about the Giants’ Crazy Crab. Admittedly that’s not something I saw when it came out, but watching it this week it occurred to me just how perfect an idea it was. An anti-mascot like that feels like something that would happen right now with the sort of cynicism that’s in society but it happened, you know, nearly 40 years ago. What drew you to that story other than your Giants fandom?
Well yeah, the Giants fan certainly helped. You know, I’m a big sports fanatic obviously and when the 30 For 30s were were on, I devoured all of them. And when I found out that they were starting to make shorts, the opportunity came up to us to start sort of developing some ideas. And it just so happened that Stephen Leichhardt, who I was working with on my Tower Records documentary, at the time he had done a story about the whole anti mascot Crazy Crab thing that the Giants did. And I just thought ‘Oh, well that’s a fascinating story that would probably work perfect for those 30 For 30 shorts. And it just so happened that it also involved this incredibly talented, you know, classically vaudevillian trained mime who was also in Scarface, of all things. You know, it just seems like such a great sort of story that was this great cross between this odd, odd time in sports. But then also performance and acting and all that sort of stuff. So, it just sort of seemed like this great story to tell.
I was very fortunate because it was one of the first things that we were able to — it was not one of the first things I directed, it was one of the first things I’ve directed that actually came out. We directed the short, you know, somewhere in the middle of shooting the Tower doc. So it was exciting and you know, obviously, any time you get a chance to make a movie, you know, your baseball team’s home stadium, that’s a pretty fun day too. So I’m very fortunate.
I really found it fascinating because you definitely picked the right people to talk to. Like, Ray Ratto had really great quotes. I know you’re on the other side of an interview right now, but when you interview people and they give you really good stuff, that feeling really is when you know that you have something here, right? It seems like that must have happened here right away when you started working on it.
Oh, absolutely. And in fact, I think that connection you make is really one of the reasons why I felt like I can get into the documentary films. You know, having been on this side of an interview, I understand how it works. And I understand sort of how the game is played, if you will. And you know when you’re trying to tell a story and you’re trying to tell it through the mouths of other people and it’s not necessarily planned and it’s not scripted, you want to be able to try and move the pieces, so to speak, so that it gives you the best chance to be able to tell the story the way that you hope you’re going to be able to tell it.
And so, obviously, you know, having read Ratto for years and knowing what a character he is, it’s like, ‘Well clearly we have to get Ray Ratto’s take on the Crazy Crab.’ I mean, we have to do that. And then you try and, you know, you dig in and you find out who are the people that responsible and who are the people that, you know, did this and might be able to help tell that story. You spend a lot of time getting to know and trying to get them to to feel comfortable with you and hopefully, you know, you’re able to find the way to draw that stuff out of it.
I wanted to ask a few questions about the MLS All-Star Game, but I wanted to first ask when you decided LAFC was going to be your team? Because obviously there’s a pretty big rivalry there in LA that I don’t think people who may not pay attention to MLS don’t understand. So lay the groundwork here for me.
Yeah, well you know, I have always been really a big fan of soccer but I was really specifically intrigued by the football culture. The supporters culture, the supporters unions, those crazy fans that are in the sections that they’re screaming and chanting and jumping up and down and waving those flags.
And that kind of environment. I always thought was really interesting and I was kind of frustrated because I couldn’t necessarily find that environment here in Los Angeles. You know, there was a version of it that was going on down in Carson. But it really didn’t feel like, I don’t know, there was something about it that didn’t quite take for me. And I was always sort of jealous of some of the other cities like Seattle or Portland and you know, even Atlanta because they were able to sort of they had that that culture that vibe there.
I had a joke that, you know, the best thing that someone could do would be to come up with a soccer team and name it, you know, the Los Angeles Football Club. But no one will be brave enough to do it. And then lo and behold, it happens.
And not only did it happen, like everything that the organization did from the get, like, from the drop, in terms of really embracing that football culture. Really, you know, bringing the community in and placing a stadium right in the heart of Los Angeles and really making it part of the community.
There’s so much about the club that is so much more than just a team for me. I actually, you know, oddly, I take pride in the club. I take responsibility for the club when I take people to matches and I hope that they have a good time. I want them to have a good time and I don’t have, you know, I don’t have ownership stake in the team. This is just something that I believe in and that’s something that the organization really strives for.
And that kind of thing, that was the piece that was missing for me in the MLS. And I don’t think it’s a mistake that you see a lot of other organizations, especially some of the the expansion clubs, really embracing that football culture and really playing to it. And realizing that that experience of going to the match. That’s part of it, you know. Yeah, you want to see your team, you know, you want your team to win. But, you know, it’s also you want to have a great experience.
And, you know, for me, the experience of going and seeing that the black and gold play at the Banc. It’s it’s one of the most fun things to do in Los Angeles, in my opinion.
I think that’s definitely something that MLS has gotten better at in recent years especially. Like, yeah they used the same naming conventions as clubs in Spain and England. But to really understand fan culture and see it kind of grow organically, and, you know, you’re seeing it in places like Cincinnati too. And nailing that, really is really an instant draw. And it’s why people in America, you know, find soccer clubs overseas like you and I do. Although I’m an Arsenal fan, so our season’s already dead the water.
Yeah. Sorry about that.
But yeah, I mean I think that’s one of the big draws for football overseas, you know what I mean? It’s really more than just some team that you support, you know, a few days out of the week. It really is part of a community. It really is part of that. The MLS I think has done a really good job of sort of realizing that that is one of the things that makes the game so special. The league has, I think, done a good job and a lot of teams across the board, including some of the original ones, have realized that that’s really what makes the game special. And that’s what’s really going to make the league become more popular.
And you can feel it. You know the league has kind of been in this great punk rock stage, but I feel like it’s about to really sort of bust out kind of wide open. And I’m excited for that because you know it’s it’s again, it’s fun. It’s a really really great experience. I’ve yet to take someone to a game where they’ve been like ‘eh, that’s, whatever.’ I take them to the LAFC matches, they really dig it and there are a lot of other clubs that understand that and do it. You know?
Carson? Not so much, but, you know, that’s why it’s a rivalry.
That’s right. I’m not sure if you’ve been to to an All Star game before but I went to the one in Chicago a couple years back and and I think it was really fun to see just how everyone rooting for these different clubs and are rivals, they just really want to see the league as a whole perform well in these exhibition matches. I know this match is against another All-Star team, but what are you most excited about seeing this week?
So this is one of the things that I love about sports, right? It’s the storylines. It’s why I like doing what I do and why I started going into documentaries and done some sports documents. It’s the storylines. I think of the things that are really a big draw for me at least, and this match in particular, I think is really unique because it is, you know, it’s the first time that the MLS All-Stars are going to be going up against the Liga MX All-Stars. And I think there’s actually a lot of pride on the line, not only just for, you know, the MLS All-Stars but I think, you know, on the other side as well.
Because if they lose, they’re gonna be hearing about it for quite a long time. So this isn’t just some, you know, ho-hum All-Star Game in which you’re just gonna see, you know the the best players from the league play each other and then they all just sort of go there the separate ways.
I actually feel like there’s real skin in the game, so to speak, here. So I’m really excited to see the two sides go at it. I think it’s going to be incredibly exciting to see it in Los Angeles because obviously I think there’s going to be a lot of supporters for both sides. So I think the environment is actually going to be a lot more energetic than you would imagine for an All-Star Game.
But the other thing is too, I think especially with the past few years that we’ve had I’m just really excited for the week. You know, I’m excited for the concert that they’re doing. I’m excited to see Big Boi perform. And then the skills competition is gonna be a lot of really fun stuff going on. I think the MLS All-Star experience is a little bit different than some of the other leagues and most of it is because the game actually matters. It’s actually important. So I’m excited.
Doja’s proved pretty good at rolling with unusual occurrences, turning a recent fall into some impromptu choreo, so having her host could come in handy should the VMAs’ penchant for unscripted antics rear its head. She’s also proved to be immune to being canceled, joking that she’s survived fan backlashes “maybe 350 times,” which gives more support to her case.
The hosting selection caps an eventful year for the rising star, who released her third album Planet Her in June after performing her breakout hit song “Say So” at the 2021 Grammys. The album turned out to be her highest charting one to date, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, spending four weeks at that position. She previously performed “Say So” at last year’s VMAs, impressing with an intergalactic rendition of the track blended into a medley with “Like That.”
The VMAs are set for September 12 at the Barclay’s Center in New York.
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