RACINE COUNTY — Local health experts say Coronavirus cases are, overall, trending in the right direction. Now, as Labor day arrives, there is concern about weekend travel and get-togethers.
"We don't want to see a repeat of the surges that we have seen following other holiday weekends," says Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director for the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The concern over the spread of Coronavirus this holiday weekend also has people re-considering how they'll travel.
Cheap gas has more people choosing road trips over flights and trains, according to AAA.
"We’re heading into Labor Day weekend here with average gas prices in the Milwaukee market at about $2.07 per gallon. That’s the lowest we’ve seen since 2004, when they were just under 2.00 per gallon," said Nick Jarmusz, Director of Public Affairs for AAA.
Troy Mox and his family stopped for gas on their way to Nashville on Friday. Mox said he would feel safe flying amid the pandemic, but couldn't find a flight.
"Unfortunately we are doing the car thing this weekend," said Mox.
The gas prices are a positive for him and his family as they embark on their 8-hour trip.
Despite the Mox Family's willingness to fly, Mike Prosser, owner of Premium RV Outlet said he has noticed more people choosing road trips this year than ever before because of the virus.
He said RV and camper rentals are sold out this Labor Day weekend and RV sales are increasing during a point in the year when they'd typically start slowing down.
Prosser also said people who are renting RVs are renting them for longer periods of time than usual.
"People have realized if they have their own RV - whether it be a little camper, a motor-home, a pop-up, a trailer whatever, it’s kind of their own little pod as it were. Their own little escape hatch," said Prosser.
Director of Medical Services for Milwaukee County's Office of Emergency Management, Dr. Ben Weston, says whatever your plans are this weekend, being COVID-19 aware is key to ensuring Wisconsin continues on the path back to normalcy.
"I think we can get together with people but, I think we can do it in a safe way," said Dr. Weston.
He encourages outdoor gatherings and wants everyone remember the 3W's: Wash you hands, Wear a mask, and Watch your Distance.
"When we look as a community, we've been doing pretty well. We've been pushing our percent-positives down, we're right around 5%," said Dr. Weston. We see hospitalization numbers lower than they've been ever during the pandemic, since we started tracking it in early April. We see case numbers continue to go down. These are trends that we hope can continue."