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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Issue Editor Tracy Scott Forson with Santa in New York City in 2016, before social distancing MICHAEL FORSON
THE OUTBREAK OF AND response to COVID-19 has affected our lives, our livelihoods and the economy at the local, national and global levels. And it has had a profound effect on the travel industry. Visiting New York City in December has become an annual tradition for me. Before I got married, I’d travel from the Washington, D.C., area with my friends, shopping at outdoor holiday markets and seeing Broadway shows. Once I met my husband, we would visit Rockefeller Center, hang out with college classmates and hit legendary venues, like Junior’s Cheesecake in Brooklyn. As we grapple with the unprecedented scope of this pandemic, many events, festivals and celebrations have been suspended or canceled. Many people have delayed or altered their travel plans. However, I’m encouraged to know that some traditions, such as the elaborate holiday-themed retail window displays, will continue this year. Restaurants have expanded outdoor dining options, and artists have taken to the streets to share their talents. As usual, New York serves as an example of America’s resilience. Across the country, businesses that provide lodging, food and transportation are starting to reopen with varied stipulations and baseline measures that aim to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. The USA TODAY Network is committed to providing timely, engaging and accurate information in our coverage, but given
the evolving nature of this health crisis, we realize that there will undoubtedly be changes to the accessibility of many of the locations, venues and services mentioned throughout this publication. Please check with businesses for the latest updates. We also know that the travel and tourism industry is resilient. It has rebounded from natural disasters, economic recessions and other crises before, and while this pandemic is uncharted territory, it is our hope that national and international exploration will resume soon. For now, we will continue to look beyond today and provide you with the amazing sights, sounds, tastes and experiences that await. In the meantime, go ahead and ask Santa for a COVID-19-free 2021.
Tracy Scott Forson Issue Editor
