by Kurt Stolz

Over the past several days, we’ve seen state officials focus on one aspect of the reopening more so than any other that is causing the number of new coronavirus cases to spike: Indoor dining.
Restaurants face great challenges when they try to reopen their dining rooms. Ventilation systems can create complex patterns of airflow and keep viruses aloft.  As a result, simply spacing tables six feet apart, in line with current …

Review and Test Drive: 2021 Kia Seltos SX AWD

by Jonathan Spira

As crossovers continue to gain in popularity, automakers are naturally adding additional models to their lineups.  Some models are merely OK, while others stand out in their class.  The all-new 2021 Kia Seltos is representative of the latter.
The Seltos is Kia’s sixth SUV in the United States and fits in the lineup between the Soul and the Sportage. However, the family member it resembles most in Kia’s lineup is the much …

August News Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Past Month’s Headlines

by Paul Riegler

It’s August, we’re halfway through summer, and it’s time to see how up-to-date you are with travel, aviation, and coronavirus news from the past month. And what a month it has been!
Take our travel news quiz and you could win a piece of airline and travel history including items from Pan Am, Cunard, and TWA.
In last month’s quiz, the question asking what happened to the American Airlines’ passenger who refused …

Great Moments in Travel History – August 2020

by Jesse Sokolow

August, a holiday month for a good part of the world, is the eighth month of the year in both the Juliana and Gregorian calendars. It is named after Augustus, a Roman statesman who was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. The month was originally named Sextilis because it was the sixth month of the ten-month Roman calendar. The current name was chosen by Augustus because several of his …

Iconic 747 on Final Approach as Boeing Winds Down Production

by Jonathan Spira

Boeing’s announcement that it would wind down production of the fabled 747 jumbo jet hardly came as a shock, yet the news nonetheless gave many frequent travelers and aviation enthusiasts pause.
While we think nothing of the 747’s size today, it was revolutionary when introduced. The first model, the 747-100, was the world’s first wide-body airliner. Until then, airplanes only had a single aisle with seats on either side. The 747-100 …

Masks May Protect the Wearer More than Originally Believed, Researchers Say

by Anna Breuer
Masks May Protect the Wearer More than Originally Believed, Researchers Say

Wearing a mask amidst the coronavirus pandemic may not just be a selfless act to protect others, but appears to reduce the viral dose the wearer could receive, a new study claims.
Multiple doctors and researchers have suggested that, in addition to protecting others from a virus the wearer of the mask may have, masks protect the wearer as well.
A new paper published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine points …

How to Dine Outdoors Safely Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

by Paul Riegler

Many restaurants across the country are reopening, albeit with outdoor dining only, while others are opening their dining rooms as well in cities that permit it.
Experts say that dining outdoors is better and safer, because the risk of infection is far higher in indoor spaces, due to insufficient ventilation.
The most important aspect of the dining experience in terms of safety, however, is how employees and diners comport themselves, especially when …

Review: DoorDash Food Delivery Service Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

by Kurt Stolz

The advent of the coronavirus pandemic introduced millions of people to food-delivery service companies that quickly move a meal from a restaurant’s kitchen to the customer’s dinner table.  Health officials say it’s safe to order from such a service while sheltering at home.
Takeout used to be pizza, Chinese food, or perhaps Italian.  We’ve evolved well beyond that and these companies offer an array of restaurant types that includes chains to …