Michigan snowbirds change travel plans in midst of coronavirus

Like many retirees Debbie Locke-Daniel, 66, and her husband, Vince Daniel, 59, spend their winters in Florida rather than suffer through Michigan's harsh weather. 

The Brighton couple normally stays in their home in Spring Hill, Florida from January until April but this year they are planning on staying at least until the end of May due to coronavirus concerns. 

Most of their Florida neighbors are over 65 and seasonal residents.

"We are all having the discussion of 'should I go home or should I stay,'' Locke-Daniel said. "It's the dilemma of old people here."

Everyday she learns about neighbors heading home, some leaving to be closer to their doctor, she said. 

"We can't judge anybody about that. Everyone has their own personal reasons," Daniel said

Michigan snowbirds, a term used to describe residents who spend time in southern states during the winter, have been changing their travel plans because of the pandemic — either staying put down south for longer, or coming back home early as officials in Florida and here urge people to stay home.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a stay at home order Wednesday. Michigan has had such an order in place for weeks.

As for Locke-Daniel and her husband, they are planning on staying in Florida because she feel like they are "sheltering in place in a safer place."

They don't have children or grandchildren but Locke-Daniel has a 90-year-old sister in Michigan she worries about. 

"I don't know if I would even be able to see her right now," she said. 

Florida reaction time

Locke-Daniel feels Florida and DeSantis have been slow to react, in part because of the tourism industry. 

"Now there are thinking Southern Florida will be the next epicenter," she said. 

Nail salons and hair salons are still open, but restaurants are closed, similar to those in Michigan. 

She said DeSantis is ordering those traveling into Florida from New York to quarantine for 14 days and asking those 65 and older, like herself, to quarantine as well. 

For now Locke-Daniel is trying to remain calm about the outbreak, going to the community's pool and taking walks. 

Later this week they plan to go to the grocery store, "just to get out and do something." She said that will "be my big outing of the day."

The couple stocked up on food and supplies earlier this month, Locke-Daniel said. "Vince was laughing at me because I don't even cook."

She said they plan to come back to their Brighton residence before summer. 

"I like Florida but I don't want to be here forever," she said. 

'It's a lot safer here than in Michigan'

Another part-time Michigan resident, Connie Quinn, echoed Locke-Daniels thoughts.

Quinn, 85, and his wife, Virginia, 83, live in a senior community in Sarasota County six months of the year, from November to the first of May.

Now the couple plans to stay, at least, until the end of May.

While many of their neighbors are leaving Florida and heading north, Quinn said he told his children they plan to stay for the time being. 

"We told them that it is a lot safer here (in Florida) than in Michigan," he said. 

Quinn considers himself a "pretty healthy 85-year-old" but worries about his wife who has a heart condition and lung issues. Her regular doctors are in Michigan. 

The pair will continue to assess the situation and make a decision as they learn more, he said. 

Quinn said he has never experienced something like the coronavirus before.

"Has anyone seen anything like this?" he said. 

Down south travel interrupted

The pandemic’s spread in Michigan, and the closures that have resulted began happening just as Gerry LaMere, 81, was getting ready to take his convertible Mustang and drive to North Carolina.

LaMere, who retired from the state’s transportation department, spent December and January there visiting with his girlfriend of three years. He returned to Michigan for medical appointments and intended on going back in early March.

“I would be there right now,” LaMere said.

Instead he’s been at home in Grand Ledge, leaving only for groceries when he needs them. His Mustang is still parked in his garage. 

“I’ve been shut in here for three or four weeks,” LaMere said.

He talks with his girlfriend every day and said this week residents there were ordered to stay home if they can. Though he misses her, LaMere said he’s glad he stayed in Michigan.

“I’d be stuck,” he said. “I’m better off here in my own house. I’d have been caught in the middle of it if I’d gone back down there. It’s growing at such a rate and none of us know what to expect.”

No reason to stay in Florida

Catherine Shattuck, 73, and her husband Berlyn, 70, drove their motor home to Florida in late October.

They’ve been spending time there every winter on and off for a decade, she said, and intended to stay until May.

But this year the couple came back to their home in Grand Ledge, two months earlier than they’d planned, arriving last week, because businesses and restaurants in Florida began closing.

“They closed everything,” Shattuck said. “They closed the clubs. The park where we were staying at closed the swimming pool. So you’re in your motor home and that’s it. We could go home and have lots more space, so that’s what we did.”

The Shattucks didn’t encounter any delays when they came back to Michigan, she said.

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ. Contact Kayla Daugherty at 517-552-2848 or kdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KayDaugherty92.